My Old Pals

Our arms went around each other's shoulders like the old days. Oh, we were a little heavier-- except for Jeff, who never saw an ounce of fat in his life-- but, we were still the same souls of our youth. A couple of the wives took the pictures. We smiled and the pictures took the moment. Another moment forever captured in a lifetime of memories.... My friend Mike Maniacek had his wedding last week. It was his second time and he was as happy as I have ever seen him. He was marrying a marvelous woman named Christine. There were about a hundred people in attendance. His first wedding in 1990 was bigger, and, filled with people, some now gone to the other side. This wedding was in a building his family owned in our hometown. That sprawling metropolis known as Des Plaines. Mike and I had grown up in this town, as had many of the people at the wedding. Arriving before the ceremony I was greeted warmly by his family. I was happy to be there. First, for Mike, who is like a brother to me. But, also, I knew that it would be a nice reunion of my childhood friends. I see them once in a while, but, never as we were in the old days. And, as Mike is my brother- in- arms, so, are Rob, Jeff, and James.... Let me start with Mike. If there is a more kind and sweet man roaming the earth then I want to meet him. There is not a mean bone in Mike's body. We met when we were five in kindergarden. I could not tell you the exact moment we met. He, like all of my childhood friends, just seemed to be there, as natural a fit as slipping in a pair of comfortable shoes. Mike remains the only person close to me that I have never been one bit angry at. Never. He is an old soul, meaning purity of spirit. He is decent and giving and one of those people who puts a smile on your face. Anyone who has ever met Mike has liked him. There is a strength about him, but, also, a vulnerability to him. The women he has been involved with in his life have sensed this and the mother instincts that flow in all women come to the surface. Make no mistake, Mike also is someone of strong character and someone who will be there for you, anytime. If I called him at 3am and said a friend that he has never met needed to be picked up, Mike would go charging out to rescue this person. That is the inherent decency and loyalty of this man. Mike is all love. I wish I shared his rosy outlook on life sometimes--- I am a little more jaded. The next time you hear the song'' All You Need Is Love'', think of Mike, because he is what the spirit of that song is all about..... That same loaylty and decency lives large in my friend Jeff Officer. Jeff was Mike's next door neighbor when we were kids. I also met Jeff around five years of age and he just naturally fit into my life. Jeff is a good looking guy who is now a pilot. If you look at the picture of all of us in FB he looks like he could do a commercial for being a pilot. Jeff is right out of Central Casting. Jeff never had a weight issue like the rest of us [ and, someday, somehow, I will get him for this annoyance]. He is one day older than me, but, looks 10 years younger. Jeff is married to a wonderful woman named Donna and they have two wonderful kids. They live in St. Louis, so, there are many years when we do not see each other as much as we should. Of course, when Jeff flies into town that makes the reunions that much more special. Jeff, like Mike and James, is a natural at the guitar. He played some beautiful background music for the ceremony. Jeff is one of those people who just naturally does everything well. He is modest, decent, sly with his humor, and rock steady. Jeff would be a success if he was running a gas station or Apple computers. I look up to Jeff, he is what I want to be when I grow up. Perhaps, because he is so normal and reliable you just naturally follow his lead, because it is the right way to go. Good man, that Jeff Officer..... Rob Steetz jumps out at you like a warm breeze. Rob is, in many ways, a lot like me, which might scare him some. I met Rob in the 8th grade during the death march known as CCD. We went as group to someone's house and studied, or, pretended to, the Catholic faith. I must confess I do not remember meeting him during these sessions [ I developed an almost coma-like feeling during these two hours sessions and turned off all life around me] but, he has a remarkable memory, so, I will say this was our meeting point. In high school we bonded. Rob and I get along so well because we have the same thoughts and sense of humor. He will throw out an obscure reference and I will bat it back to him like a tennis game. I would see him at parties and he would always have that same goofy, warm smile and glow to him. He gathered people around him because of his good nature. He still carries that around with him. Rob is a big kid at heart. An extremely intelligent and thoughtful man, Rob is married to a fine woman named Kara, and the have two young sons, the mighty Drew and Dan. Rob lives five minutes from me and, true to form, we never see each other. That is the brutality of life. We live in different circles. But, the warmth of his bear-like hug on any reunion reminds me of his value. When we do see each other, Rob is the one in the group of whom I confide my innermost thoughts. He is a good listener and gives solid advice. He will not be afraid to tell me if I am out of line about work, a girlfriend, or, my views of the world. To receive words of wisdom from this gentle giant is like Moses speaking from the mountain. That may seem to be a bit of overparaise, but, it is the correct description. Like all my friends, Rob has the good soul. I admire his strength and his ability to attack the hard times with courage and intelligence, but, also, to never lose who he really is--- a man the world needs more of..... James DiGirolamo, Christ, they should make some kind of movie about James!!! James represents my naughty side of my personality. The dark humor. I met James also in high school and we did see each other at school events and parties, but, we were never really close friends. I remember I had him in sophomore English class and he sat next to one of the hot girls, so, I was pissed at his luck. And, back in his single days James was a bit of a dandy with the ladies. The rest of us did not possess the charm and ease and looks that he did. He scored big time back then, the rat bastard. I got to know him better after he came home from college and we became fast friends. James is a beauty on the bass. He plays it like it just is part of his body-- as he has a right and left arm, so, he has a bass. He studied music and women at DePaul and now teaches in a kind of ''School Of Rock'' way. Individual students. He now is married to a woman named Karen, who has the patience and goodness of a saint to put up with him. I write this with a good amount of cheer and a smile on my face. James is in brother territory. He is a good man and someone who you also would call in an emergency. His response would probably be to call Mike instead, but, he would be there for me. He has. James is another one whom I have cried to about women. Because I have always been interested in the arts we share the bond of respect for artists. James has a quicksilver mind about the world and can back up his opinions forcefully. There are a slew of stories that we have about each other and our adventures. They still hidden, however, because of the ''guy code''. I once told a girlfriend that James was my mirror twin in many ways and the most like me. When I relayed this to him, James replied, ''I'm not sure I am comfortable with that idea.'' Smartass!! ..... There are other brothers I am blessed with. Rob Lindquist, Rene Ruelas, Mike Hofland, Gary Menzer. These men are forever sealed to me and my nervous system. To not have them in my life is not a thought I can imagine. All of my male friends I consider like fox-hole bodies in a war. We would be sharing C-rations, watching each others flanks, dying together. My female friends I admire and adore. That is a different kind of friendship, but, one I also value as the day is long. I have made many mistakes in my life. However, I show a great success when friendship is involved.... Back to the picture. The arms around each other. When you take a picture with someone you love it becomes more than just a picture. It becomes a visual of an unbroken bond of love. The picture we took shows the friends of youth more wordly now. Life has indeed measured us and thrown us happiness and sadness. Our eyes have seen a lot of life. But, for a moment, we were kids together again. Brothers-In-Arms....