Whenever you’re feeling under the weather you can always count on true friends to call, swing by the house, come see you in the hospital. They’re the same ones who show up all of the time; you can count on them forever no matter what. It’s the 80/20 rule of life; 20% of all people carry everyone else’s load. Once in awhile you’ll get surprises from people who rarely contact you – that’s exciting, like finding a $100 bill on the street. You’re elated until you realize it’s probably a butt dial. Then there are the folks who never reach out. I give some quarter to them since it’s really hard to communicate these days. People are busy; between Zoom calls, streaming Netflix at work while on Zoom calls, TikTok, trading junk on Facebook marketplace, email, Instagram, Snap, standing in line at Starbucks, and checking Fantasy Football on Draft Kings, who has time to send out a lengthy four word text like “Hope you’re feeling better”?
I think back on my friends who I could always rely on. One of those circumstances was car wrecks where I could always count on John Rayno being involved coming or going. When Mickey Fitzgerald switched lanes and drove head on into another car that didn’t know how to play chicken, John was there. When Mike Shaw flew out of a Volkswagen beetle doing a high speed U-turn in front of the Tower of Pizza Restaurant, John was there. After purchasing a motorcycle and flipping over the handlebars 15 minutes after owning it, John was there. When I drove back from Burlington, VT with frozen brakes and could only stop my Mom’s Torino station wagon by plowing into a snow bank, John was there. I could always rely on John being there, accidentally.
I haven’t ridden in a car with John for quite some time, but I do know if I did we would end up in a collision moments after turning the ignition. Regardless, he’s still my true friend. Likewise, all of us will have some kind of future setback; you can rely on that. Don’t get disappointed by 80% of your friends who go radio silent; epiphanies only happen on The Hallmark Channel. As for the 20% of friends who always reach out, make absolutely certain you return their kindness so they don’t drift into the 80% dark side where crickets live. Yes, reciprocity is a fading virtue, but it’s still the essence of true friendship. Slainte!
Great reminder to connect. As your cousin Peggy says, “There are good ships and wood ships, and ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are Friendships- and may that always be!”
Kate, I’ll remember that for the next toast. Pete
All so true! What about the people that don’t reach out enough but think about you often? I think I was scared off by a few of those 50 mph hill jumping events in the Grand Torino station wagon…and is probably why the brakes stopped working!
I hope you are doing well!
John
John, who ever would think a Gran Torino paneled station wagon was an awesome car? Pete
You’re blogs are always very inspiring! I know this rule is so true. There are very few people to rely on but the ones that show up are truly my best friends. Keep up the blogs. I look forward to the next one!❤️
Janet, thanks for reading and commenting! Pete
Grateful for 20%!
Tara, sometimes the 10% club is even better. Pete
Somehow, I knew Mike would be involved in some way.
Hope you are doing well .
Go Irish
He and Mr. Rayno had a spectrum of car events
Great reminder! Very true.
I’m running out of ways to say how much I enjoy reading your blog! 😎I have friends from grammar school still, such a blessing. By the way, last year I lost a $100 bill at the farmers market in Marco in case you happen to find it.😆
Do you remember when I was buying drinks at Stan’s on Sunday….
Great one Peter, so true ☘️ 🪳
Sounds like John is a keeper! Funny, how you make friends throughout life, some are with you from the time you’re young, some a little later, but the true ones always seem to be around! Always being grateful for friends in this life that you can always count on! Stay well!
You know who shows up no matter what point in your life you are