John:
You are a kind man to use me as an example of how men should respond to one another. I am both humbled that anyone would think this and amused at the same time. I have mentioned, in the past, that I see many flaws when I look into my mirror in the morning. This does not make me anything but human and a man that is growing old and hopefully gaining humility. I am not there as yet, but trying.
I would like to use a tad of Dave's bandwidth to recount a story.
I once knew a magnificent woman whose name was Mary DeMerril. She was a chemist that was about 35/40 years older than I. She drove a red MG B with a fifth of Jack Daniels under the seat. What a woman!!!
Many years later, I moved to John's Island, S.C. and was delighted to find that she had retired and lived two properties from mine. Mary was now in her early eighties and STILL a hoot and character.
I grant that Mary lived an eccentric lifestyle (had many boyfriends and never a husband) and had the reputation of being a nut.:} She once told me that the pine trees that I grew on my land were causing the island to sink. Any fool would know that the trees used the nutrients in the soil to grow tall, and thusly the depletion of the soil and the weight of the trees were lowering the land mass. Yep, nuts.
She came to my garden, one day, styrofoam cup of Jack in hand, and after an interesting conversation about heart attacks and strokes (she claimed that she had had both that morning) made a statement that told me all I ever needed to know about this interesting but painfully lonely woman. She stated that if one acted crazy enough and made enough noise, one could have anything they desired from others.
I concluded then that one can be alone and not be lonely. At the same time, be amongst many and be very much alone. It is the wont of some, that have few if any friends that they can be fully open,honest and at ease, to make a lot of noise and do less than friendly things.
Perhaps this is the time to mention a few names. Bill Wise, Oscar Gaddy, Wilhelm were men who, to my recollection, went out of their way to be kind, understanding and offer both academic info along with friendly chiding. These men, have passed to God and we shall always remember them amongst others. They were Emeralds Amongst Wheat. Who amongst the lesser ones will we remember now or will recall in the future?
Thanks for reading and perhaps there is something of value in this for all to profit by.
Best,
John
