Friends

Today I returned a call to a friend I hear from once a year. He calls me every year when we celebrate the United States Marine Corp's birthday. Each year like clock work he calls. Normally we talk about kids and what they have been up to, and the trips we have taken during the year. This year was different. Although he did call, I was not there to pick up and didn't return the voice mail that he had left. I had forgotten about him calling until the Army/Navy game on television. He called again and again left a voice mail. I didn't return his call. Months go by and he calls again telling me to return his call in which I finally do only to find out.....he has cancer. Each time he had called he was reaching out to a friend and I feel so horrible that I didn't return his consistent phone calls. I'm so sorry my friend. I hope you still call me friend. I remember growing up with you and calling you Clark Kent because I thought you were Superman. You were someone I always looked up to, and still do. The things we did together as kids. We threw eggs at cars off the roof of your house. We made chocolate pudding (double batch) and ate it all after swimming in the quarry. We stole our first and only car together and you took the entire blame so my parents wouldn't kill me. You were and still are my Superman. I owe so much to you. You introduced me to Keith Green, the Christian singer who had a big impact in my early years as a believer in Christ. I owe you so much Oscar Plowman. I love you my brother. Don't worry about calling me next year, I'll call tomorrow and see how you are doing. Life is too short not to care about the people you love. Forgive me for not being there for you when you needed me the most. It was great talking to you tonight....goodnight my friend.