Those differences don’t amount to a hill of beans

Ralph:

My friend Bob and I are as different as night and day. One way I could describe our differences is…Bob is a caravan of 18-wheelers traveling down an Interstate Highway. His mind is full of “stuff” that I don’t understand, while I’m an old pickup truck on a two-lane blacktop country road with a couple of bags of deer corn on the back, and my mind is a Cliff Notes version of the old Dick and Jane first grade readers.

What makes us friends is our destination. Like travelers through a maze with two possible solutions, we may take different paths while seeking the same finish.

We’re both spiritual but not necessarily religious. We’re both sensitive and yet firm in our beliefs. Words like love and compassion are not just a part of our communications; they are a way of life. Showing kindness and caring is a form of love that we have. That is a strong bond. These make our so-called differences less visible.

I would say we’re both a little stubborn. I’m pretty sure both Dot and Connie would agree on that.

Just listening to us, the bookies in Las Vegas would lose a pot load of money betting we would ever develop a friendship. Yet we have. They would probably not figure in the one thing we have In common the most … no, not wives who keep us in line, even if that’s true. And it’s not that he calls his pet a dahg, and I call it a dawg.

It’s more or less our outlook on our lives. We blend our spiritual and emotional side with the human and physical sides of ourselves. I know that when Bob is talking to me he’s not just talking to Ralph … he’s talking to the Holy Spirit livin’ inside of me. I know he is because I can feel it. Now, I know I got here through studying the Bible. I’m still not so sure how Bob got here, but when I talk to him, I know I am talking to that same spirit inside of him.

I think that the great gift we are to each other is that we keep reminding each other to see that little piece of God in everybody. Even though our paths are different, our differences in religion become a magnet that pulls us together. It’s like a hunger to know how the other guy did it. We both figure that the other guy may have picked up a tip or a tool that might help us along the way.

When I think of people in my life who I consider “close friends,” Bob doesn’t fit the mold that I think is even likely. I’m sure he would say the same thing. Yet here we are……

But what difference does it make? I’m just happy to have him in my life.

God bless…..

Bob:

WOW! What a sweet thought, Ralph. It makes me think of that song by Simon and Garfunkle, Old Friends. We’re not really old friends, like high school buddies, but it sure does feel that way. And, that’s pretty special because you don’t often make those kinds of bonds as we get older.

You know, I think there are a couple of conditions for being that kind of friend. 1. Even if you don’t talk or write for years, when you do catch up, it feels like you were just connected yesterday. 2. You never hear the word “NO” from your friend, like “Ralph, can you bring your truck and help me move some stuff?” or “Ralph, can you bring over your stripper and help me fix this light switch?”

But seriously, your letter makes me think of something I-don’t-remember-who said: “We’re just spiritual beings having a human experience. Namaste, Ralph. That holy place inside of me reaches out and offers blessings to the Holy place inside of you.”