Live, love, and laugh. It is a saying of which my in-laws are very fond. You can find it on the wall of one of their favorite restaurants in Tampa, Daddy’s Grill.
That little saying says a lot about life. You must live, you must love others, and you can’t take life too seriously – in other words, you need to laugh aloud on occasion. And that is just what we did much through yesterday.
Every now and then you have to take a break from the routine. Yesterday was one of those days. We worked a little in the morning, and then we followed up by going to the birthday party of our favorite two year-old grandson. Afterwards, we finished the day having dinner with some great friends.
The Aussies call them mates, in the squadron we refer to friends as squadron mates, and in the Navy we have shipmates, on the team we call other ballplayers teammates, our classroom friends are classmates, and all of these monikers mean the same: good friends.
Developing friends is serious business.
One of my favorite authors is Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. In his book, Wind, Sand and Stars, he writes of the value of friendship. He says, “Nothing can match the treasure common memories, of trials endured together, of quarrels and reconciliations and generous emotions. It is idle, having planted an acorn in the morning, to expect that afternoon to sit in the shade of the oak.”
de Saint-Exupéry speaks so eloquently of friendship. But I have to disagree with him to some extent. Sometimes, one is lucky enough to meet a person who becomes a great friend very quickly. In such a case, it is very similar to planting a 100 year-old oak tree rather than a single acorn.
Last evening, my wife and I planted an oak tree in becoming friends with another couple recently moved to Florida. Sometimes you can instantaneously make a connection with others of like mind; it happened when I met my father-in-law for the first time, and I had a similar experience last night.
I have little doubt if our friends were to meet my in-laws, they too, would experience that same instant bond of friendship. They are of like mind also.
So, here’s to living life, loving without boundaries, and on occasion, laughing with abandon.
D & D, thanks again for a wonderful evening.
-30-
© 2010 J. Clark
Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much has been a favorite saying of mine for a long time. I love meeting new people who instantly make you feel at home and you can just get to the business of having some fun with laughter filling the room. Thanks for sharing! Still sore?
Yes, I am still sore from my fall… still slowly getting over it. My students got a day off from the event and a couple have taken to asking me when I will go on my next “trip.” Thanks for asking.
Nice story! It is wonderful to make that connection with someone instantly. It happens rarely, and it is a great treat!