For the second time in my life, I have deeply regretted my non-action.
Let me explain. Many years ago, I had a friend named Dail. Dail lived down the street from us. Actually, he was the reason we lived on that street to begin with. You see another good friend, Jerry, introduced us. Once a year we would take a backpack, camping, and fishing trip up to northern Canada. We would meet at Dail’s house to load up before we meet with the other guys.
Well on one of these yearly trips Dail says to me, “You know that house you passed on the way in is for sale. It’s been for sale quite a while, you might get a good deal on it.” We did make an offer, and we did buy it. Barb and I lived in it for 21 years until we bought a coffee shop. Anyway, eventually the camping trips came to an end, but I would still see Dail on his afternoon walks, he always stopped, and we would laugh about something. Dail was always eager to laugh.
But time and life issues always seemed to be in the way, and I found it hard to walk down to see him or even be out when he walked by.
On one occasion however, after a few years went by, I saw Dail on one of his walks. We stopped and shook hands. He tells me that they found something in his head, but he just laughs it off. At least we know something is up there, he quipped.
He left and I went back to my normal routine of being overwhelmed by my daily life. Six months later I find a note in mailbox from his wife Cathy, Dail passed away, and services will be held.
I lived about 500 hundred feet from him and could not find the time to stop in and say, “How you doing bud?” That was the first time. Second time was a few weeks ago. I was back in Michigan on one of my usual monthly trips and I thought I should see Mike. Mike Brouse was my mechanic and friend for almost 20 years at American Road Shop.
That’s the motorcycle business that Barb and I had. I must add that if you’re lucky in life you will be able to work with someone that is absolutely the best at whatever it is you do. That was Mike with motorcycles for me. Since we closed and liquidated the bike shop, he has been working with my lifelong friend Kerry at his shop. But again, I’m just too busy with farm projects. I always make excuses for not stopping to see friends. Afterall I’ve known them for years; I can always see them on the next trip. The next day I got a call that Mike was in a bad motorcycle accident. He didn’t make it.
Now I’m writing this from my bedroom at the Michigan farm in early August. I just got back from visiting my cousin Lanny Hardy. I took the time. Now, I’ve known Lanny since I was 16 years old. He is a great musician, and he taught me guitar. Well, what little I know about guitar.
Lanny and I have been friends for 52 years. But once again life got in the way. Our visits slowly decreased to once or twice a year. Then, over 10 years could go by before I would have a chance to see him. Our friendship was reduced to a couple of yearly phone calls. John Lennon wrote in one of his songs about his son Sean, “Life is what happens while where busy making other plans.”
When I got to Lan’s house, he told me it was his 84th birthday today! I had no idea. I can’t even begin to tell you how great it was to be there for that! We talked for 4 1/2 hours, drank a couple beers, and laughed like school kids. Talked music, a little politics, and old memories. He was so happy to see me on his birthday, after all he said, “It took me a long time to turn 84.”
This was one of my best days! I think it may be one of his as well. Because I took the time, I have a memory for life. Take the time! You will never regret it.
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