Friend, I think not, Brother, Yes

This post was originally written in May 2008.  It was not posted for personal reasons.  I now feel I can post it because maybe my prayers were answered or maybe Somebody  else had a different plan.

George Orwell

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand
ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."

This may sound like a strange way to start a posting however, Were the words of Mr. Orwell not true this posting and comments to it, most likely would not now or never have happened. Whether you are on the right or the left we all owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and women who keep us safe and free. Sermon is over, now on to thoughts of an old guy whose friends and some not friends tolerate him on the blogosphere and some even in person.

As I sit here in front of my computer I listen to the music from a blog of a man I have never met. On his blog he has music from a popular musician I have never listened to. This man is much younger than I. Yet, in our emails and blog replies I am somewhat struck that, in maturity and spiritual belief, he has it together in such a manner  I can't describe. This may come to a surprise to those that know me personally as you are aware I am seldom without words.

I know from his selflessness and deeds, he is the consummate professional who puts deeds before words and human kindness before himself. He always has someone else to care and lookout for. I don't know his family however, when he talks about his wife and children you sense the respect, the passion, the caring he has for them. I have developed a respect for what this man does and how aware he is about "his people" that I can't put into words. Yet, I have never met him.

I don't believe if we ever met he would refer to me as his friend, this would not be disrespectful of him and I would take no ill will. I believe I would be welcomed as a brother he had never met. I would feel the same way of him, a brother I had never met. The Internet has brought me in touch with many wonderful and caring people but none has moved me in such a way as this man. I have learned much about relationships from him and much about my self.

Can you really make a friend if you really have never met them,? Can you make a friend if you have never looked into their eyes, felt their handshake, or the passion in their voice? I have thought about this for sometime for my friend/brother has been sent on a journey.

This journey to him is so serious that he has decided he can no longer spend time on his blog. His journey is to "his people" and all his energy and resources must go toward them. Do I envy him? Yes, in a way. Am I sad that our communication will be stopped? Yes, in a way. Am I jealous of him, you betcha Charlie! I only wish I had his internal, spiritual, and physical strength of this young man. Am I proud to call him a friend? Well, as I said I do not believe he nor I would ever call each other friend. I do believe he would not object if I called him my brother.

You see the Internet can be used for evil and ill purposes. As I said before I have met many wonderful and interesting people through this medium. He is one of them. Good luck on your journey my brother. May G-d be with you,watch over you and "your people" where ever your journey takes you.

Do you have such a friend? Reach out to them, tell them how you feel. For one day your friend or brother may say, "I'm going on a journey and won't be able to talk with you" Reach out to them my friends, let them know, you care for them.

Shalom, 
Peace to all the World


Pops *


*Update,
My friend/brother has returned safely from his journey and for this I give thanks.