Good friends should never be taken for granted. They come in all sizes, flavors and sexes. They are gifts that "keep on giving," as the somewhat trite phrase says. The don't come with warning labels of Christian, Muslim, gay, straight, Republican or Democrat. I'd just like to offer up thanks for the good people in my life.

Here's a good mix to start with, with many more to follow:

Art Thieme: How could I put Art anywhere but at the head of my list?
Our friendship goes back to an unexpected book on Wisconsin Folk Songs that arrived in the mail over 30 years ago from Art. Art says we talked together briefly at a Folk Legacy Festival in the late 60's, but he wasn't much more than a name when I received the book. I was very touched that Art would buy the book and send it to me when I was just this side of being a total stranger to him. He warned me in the note he sent that he didn't write letters. A thousand letters later, it was clear that he had misjudged himself. Art and I used to share a night at the Cafe Carpe in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin for many years, and I was there the night he did his last concert, ready to step in if he needed any help. And of course, he didn't.

Art and I have exchanged Christmas cards and gifts for all these years, despite the fact that Art is an Athiest and I am a Christian.
We loved and respected each other for who we are, and still do.

Pasha - Pasha is my son. Never mind that he was born of Ruth, my second wife, is black and Muslim. The first Christmas I spent with Ruth, Pasha brought a cassette of Glen Miller for this white guy his Mother was going out with. He wanted me to feel welcome. What he didn't know was that I have a love (and a collection to match) for rhythm and blues and soul music that at least equals his. Over the years, we've worked side by side on construction projects at our home, singing the old r&b hits, with him singing tenor, and me holding down the bass line. Pasha is always there for us, and his sister, who is a Bpatist minister. We enjoy his commitment to the Muslim faith, and he enjoys ours to Christianity. When he eats with us, we lift up a common prayer to Allah and God.

Jimmyt: Jimmyt is one of my favorite catters. I love his generosity of spirit and his inherent kindness and although we've never met, I believe that we will. We share a love for the old rhythm and blues and I greatly appreciate the warmth and humor he brings here. He is a wonderful, caring, generous, giving, Conservative Republican. Nobody is perfect. But, Jimmy gives it as good a shot as any.

brucie: I could be sitting in the same room as brucie and never know it. He hasn't posted a photo on the Cat, and the only picture I have of him was taken back when he was in his twenties. Brucie has been through some MAJOR stuff this year. He made an off-hand comment in a thread, and I PMd to give him a little encouragement. That was the start of a cyber friendship I really value. If you didn't know what brucie was going through, you never would have realized it through his contributions to the cat. He brings a warm, modest sense of humor to us all and helps to remind us that some things we talk about in here aren't really as serious as we sometimes make them out to be.
Does brucie believe in God? Got me. Is he a Christian? I never thought of checking. He's not a Republican or Democrat, because he is Canadian. How in the world can you decide who to hate, if there aren't Republicans and Democrats? Friends aren't Christians or Muslims or Atheists. They;re just friends. How they vote has very little to do with the friendship. Friends are people you enjoy and respect. You connect with them on a level that has nothing to do with labels or how long you've known them. There is an instant bond formed between two people who are just trying to get along, and are looking out for others as much as they can.

That's four... I haven't even scratched the surface... there's Bobert and Khandu and (((((((((((Sorcha))))))))))))))) and KT and freda underhill and ColK, Leadfingers, Sussex Carole, Bert, C-Flat and far too many to even list. They are all gifts in my life and I am thankful for them, every day.

Your turn..

Jerry