Lunch with a Friend

My friend took me to lunch today. We didn’t dine at a fine restaurant; we ate in his car. He didn’t spring for gourmet food; we ordered from Sonic. It was a great lunch of tater tots and drippy chili dogs and ice cold Route 44’s. We shared Memorial Day weekend events and family updates. He told me about his bad back and I told him how Hubby was progressing in his recovery from the aneurism. We traded dog stories.

My friend is 30 years younger than I am. He lives in a world very different from mine. We cross gender, generational, and ethnic boundaries, yet we share a sense of joy in life, a love of silly jokes, and the belief that one’s family is important above all else. When we are together we are comfortable and safe.

It was a simple thing – lunch at Sonic with a friend. And it meant the world. He was in the vicinity and he had a few moments so he called and he came by and he shared a brief time in his day. I was uplifted by his voice, his presence, his caring. These are the memories that see us through the tough times and give us the courage to face life’s challenges. Sometimes we need a helping hand from a friend. I’m grateful I have a caring, thoughtful one in my corner.