Friends Are Friends Forever

Leave it to Murph to talk some trash,
Oftentimes loud - sometimes brash.
The Cards played well - no reason or rhyme,
That is - 'til we got to overtime.

Next day, I, my Irish shirt wore
'though red was the choice the day before.
Showing ones colors is always fun;
But each dog'll have its day in the sun.

Memories can make a wonderful friend,
Like a fall weekend in South Bend.
For the trip, we, a seasoned host had -
Chris and Lance and Lance's dad.

Uncle Tom graciously showed us the sights
As we mixed with the masses - aged to tikes.
Viewing pictures, hearing stories - not near the same
As strolling the campus of ol' Notre Dame.


This attempt at poetry is an answer to friend Trish Murphy who has, for several weeks, written emails to Lance in rhyme.  They have been funny and educational - entertaining as we read them to Lance.  In the poem I called her Murph; the week past brought memories of another with that nickname.  My friend Mike "Murph" Murphy died unexpectedly after suffering an aneuryism.  He was a friend to many and I count myself lucky to be one of those.  He and I were competitors in high school sports days - then teammates in college intramurals.  Then we umpired baseball games as one of our part-time jobs; that gave us lots of visit time as we drove from Morehead to area high schools on those spring afternoons.  Many of us found it hard to say good-bye to Murph this week; our sympathy is extended to his family.

Many friendships from the past have been recalled and rekindled over the past 77 days since Lance was injured.  The opportunity to become better acquainted with his wonderful friends has been a blessing.  I realized that his first 24 years have been very busy but I also learned more about loyal relationships with intelligent and compassionate people.  One night back in Lexington, after watching a parade of young people visit, I said, "These 20 and 30-somethings are refreshing as they demonstrate their love so transparently; this world will be better off when they are in charge."

The friends I have enjoyed over the years all come together in a beautiful collage, at a time like this  Comrads band together to pull their sinking friend from whatever difficulty into which he/she has stumbled.  During these past 11 weeks you have reached out to me - I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You really don't have to say anything; often I cannot get a word out through the emotion and I hope that's ok.  Words are not necessary to communicate with those you love.  You miss them and you yearn to hear them again, but there is a love language that emanates from the eyes.  As I look into Lance's eyes today it's like  looking into his soul as his mind works and his lips and tongue reposition attempting to communicate - attempting to achieve what used to be so easy - what we often take for granted.

One of Lance's friends, who has been a friend to many including Papaw John and Granny Betty, is Charlie Stapleton.  His frequent mailings are easy to distinguish, even though there is no return address, as Live the Lion is neatly scribed on each envelope.  One mailing included a picture from the Lewis County Herald of Brock and Chelcee wearing Dance for Lance medium t-shirts and extra large smiles.  Charlie expressed how he values a smile; not only is it a treasure but I thought, another quiet way of communication.

As Lance's week comes to a close and as the days count down before he returns to Kentucky, we celebrate what has happened.  He looks so strong, so healthy, as we returned on Friday.  Jill left Saturday morning after spending time with him and in training this week; there is much for all to learn.  Gena and I arrived Friday afternoon and was able to watch afternoon therapy sessions.  One noteworthy event of Friday was Lance's third bicycle ride of the week.  Even the therapists were excited that he rode 7 miles in 35 minutes on this ride.  We are excited and hopeful that exercise bicycling will continue after he gets home; it sounds like that opportunity will happen thanks to the kindness of a friend.  Today he had a physical and speech therapy session - more than usual for Saturday.  We are so grateful for the wonderful care and friendliness of the folks here at the Sheherd Center.  It sure has made being away from home - feel like home.  We had hoped Lance could go outside today but the wind with temps in the 40's changed our minds.  We watched Uof L beat the Orangemen and that was good medicine; then we watched the second half of UK/Vandy and that was a bitter pill to swallow. 

Winning or losing, friends are we.  And precious are each one.

-John