When Ike was two, I had been a member of Toast-Masters. I wrote a speech about him of which I remembered on Sunday morning. I found it, re-read it and decided it still obviously applied. I shared it with him one more time just before I said good-bye.
Do you remember that speech we heard a couple of weeks ago about friends? It was something about the mystery of friendship. How a true friend is described as someone you can reveal your genuine colours to with no hesitation. Where two people establish an existence based on complete trust and honesty. Sounds pretty special doesn't it? How many of us can honestly say we have a friendship like this? It wasn't until I heard that speech that I realized I was fortunate enough to claim a friendship of that description.
I have a friend whom I don't censor my actions, or thoughts, or moods, or anything when I'm with him. I am completely myself in his presence. I trust him with my most personal insights. There isn't a thing I don't feel comfortable discussing with him. He makes it quite easy though; he's a great guy. He has the most amazing outlook on life. He is always positive, but never obnoxious about it. No matter what the situation, he will always try to make the best of every predicament. On days when I've had a stressful time at school or if someone is really getting under my skin, all I have to do is tell him about it and things seem to improve immediately. He is a great listener. I can always tell he's truly involved in our conversations and I feel very connected when I talk with him. No matter what the topic he always has a solution for my troubles. His communication is not always just with words, sometimes he uses actions. He has this unassuming ability of showing what he thinks of the situation through his lifestyle. It's almost Zen-like. He would never suggest he's got life figured out, but when you watch him, it certainly appears as though he does.