Dad and Jim, or Jim and Dad

My father was my best hunting and fishing buddy. For him, it was who he hunted and fished with that made the day. My best buddy, Jim, was one of Dad’s favorite people to fish with. They truly cared for each other. They teased each other in ways that only true friends can.

Take the title of this blog. They would have fought friendly over that. It would have sounded like this.

Jim:Why do you get top billing?

Dad: Because I am the oldest.

Jim: So.

Dad: You should respect your elders.

Jim: Just because you are old does not mean you deserve special treatment and get to be first.

Dad: I do not deserve to be first, I EARNED it.

Jim: By being old?

Dad: No, by being a better fisherman.

Jim: Catching catfish with a worm does not make you a better fisherman.

Dad: I caught more fish than you.

Jim: So.

Dad: So I get my name first.

Jim: I did not want my name to be first, anyway. Go ahead and be first.

Dad: Doesn’t matter to me either. You go ahead and be first.

Jim: Don’t try to be nice to me now.

Dad: Are you pouting?

Jim: No, I just don’t care who is first.

Dad: Okay, then I will be first.

Jim: I thought you were letting me be first.”

Dad: I thought you didn’t care.

Jim: I don’t.

Dad: Go ahead and pout like a baby.

Jim: You’re the baby

Me: If you two are done, pull the anchor. Let’s go get a sandwich and some apple pie at the restaurant.

Jim: I love apple pie.

Dad: No you don’t.

It would not matter whose name was first. The other would have complained.

I miss their banter.

I miss them.

But I have so many memories of the two of them, together and separately. I will share some of their stories in the weeks to come. I hope you will enjoy them.

In the meantime, remember to enjoy your friends while you can. Friends last a lifetime and are gone in a second. Make your memories now so that your friends are forever.