The Sustaining and Uplifting Fizz of Friendship

Rick Jobus avatar

by Rick Jobus |

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relationships, ALS Awareness Month, life lessons, anniversary, the plague, movies, aging, bucket list, treatment, extraordinary, carnival ride, living, what's next, train, sweetness, support groups

If the sky above you,

Grows dark and full of clouds,

And that old north wind begins to blow,

Keep your head together,

And call my name out loud,

Soon you’ll hear me knocking at your door. …

Now, ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend.

I was reminded of that Carole King song recently when a new friend came to my rescue. That recollection harkened me back to a more distant time, when a different friend offered the lyrics as testimony to our bond, after already demonstrating it through her actions. Both speak to the indomitable power resulting when people actively care.

The earlier example of the golden rule in action came via the first neighbor I met after moving to Florida. Knowing nothing about me other than the outward evidence of physical disability, Bonnie pledged her assistance in whatever manner possible. This was not a hollow offer.

Over nearly eight years, Bonnie’s support has been unflagging. She and members of her family routinely help out with household maintenance. Bonnie was instrumental in securing a loaner transfer lift, which I later acquired for pennies on the dollar. She periodically checks in, without being asked, to see how I am faring and to provide engagement. Whenever I have reached out in need, Bonnie has always responded with dogged determination.

Case in point: Over a Fourth of July weekend when my wife was out of the country, my lift chair became inoperable. Despite the holiday, and unbeknownst to me, Bonnie scoured the local landscape for any open furniture or equipment purveyors. After striking out during the initial search, she creatively thought of the Goodwill store. They had a chair, which Bonnie bought, picked up, unloaded, and moved into my family room — all on her own. I am blessed and honored to have her in my corner.

Fast-forward to last month, when I benefitted from my new friend’s warmth. Holly and I got acquainted because of my columns and a subsequent email exchange. We kicked around the notion of meeting, as she was a new transplant to the area where I live. My impression was that she is a compassionate, nurturing soul. In that regard I underestimated her.

Coincidental with Holly settling in, one of my regular aides took ill. Upon learning of my predicament, and sensitive to my reliance on daily care, she volunteered to be a stopgap solution. Although she was a lifelong, professional caregiver, she insisted on no remuneration.

Her experience and skills were on ample display during the shadowing morning. Holly speaks mostly English. The aide she was observing speaks mostly Spanish. I speak mostly unintelligibly. Despite the inherent challenges, we avoided staging a Marx Brothers-like farce — “[H]ere is a viaduct. … Why a duck?with me, a la Harpo, in strenuous translational pantomime. All told, Holly took care of me six stress-free times. She is a rare gem.

Bonnie and Holly literally come knocking at my door. As does my pastor. His regular visits have come to be viewed as “uncorking.” In addition to spiritual replenishment and growth through prayer, Bible study, and communion, they relieve emotional contents under pressure. The effervescent release provides a heady, natural intoxication. My friendship with Pastor K is a vital life-energy source.

The friends of mine residing outside of ready commuting distance can’t grace my doorstep. They figuratively knock nevertheless. Whether by email, social media, or old-school postal delivery, they shower me with affectionate contact. Seemingly, whenever I need it most, one or another,  like rotating sentry duty, will touch base to assure that all is well and validate my worth. Each is a miniature “uncorking.”

ALS has left me adrift in never predictable waters. Tolerance of the undulating ups and downs is something of an acquired taste. Winds constantly blow me out farther, to great distances in the Dependent Sea. Without warning, a squall may kick up and threaten to cross me over to the Urgent Sea. Worse yet are the typhoons depositing me in the Emergent Sea. My friends form an expert nautical team that unfailingly gets me back to calmer surf.   

“Best friends” strikes me as a transitory designation. Even when paired with “forever,” as in “BFF,” it lacks permanence. Too often, its fickle duration is subject to whim, fortune, or circumstance.

I contrast that with “best friendships.” Best friendships emerge when we obey God’s command to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If we behave as God constructed us to, we exist in synergistic harmony with one another. It is one of his richest blessings. I am gifted to enjoy a plethora of best friendships.

As I uncork, here’s to us! Drink up!

***

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Comments

Dave Reckonin avatar

Dave Reckonin

Rick again raises the important issue of God's intervention in our lives. I care not to raise the subject of religion but as Rick has done so once more.....well...
It's a very strange irony that whilst God commands....COMMANDS.... that we love our neighbour, he shows his love for us in such obtuse ways, including creating and then distributing ALS amongst us.
Am I the only one here who finds that bizarre to the point of absurdity ?
I think I recall Rick saying He does that as we are all, ALL of us, sinners, even the paediatric cancer patients, doomed to die before junior school. How have they sinned? Taken a pal's plastic fire-truck toy, perhaps?
The Bible says that God moves in mysterious ways. How true. 'Mysterious' as in unfathomably unpleasant I suggest.
Still, there again, vengeance is His alone. I am so glad God exists, because if he did not we would have had to invent him.

Reply
Anne Iles avatar

Anne Iles

I lost both of my brothers to ALS. My big brother in 2016 and my younger brother in 2020. The 2 current treatments for ALS did nothing to help them. They had the gene mutation C9orf72. I also carry that gene mutation. I pray everyday that I haven’t passed it to my daughter. So far I don’t have any ALS symptoms. I miss my brothers everyday. Thank you for your words. Take care. Anne

Reply
Rick Jobus avatar

Rick Jobus

Anne, you, and your daughter, are in my prayers.

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