At one time or another, we envision ourselves doing great things or exhibiting an incredible talent that we actually don't possess.  Think "air guitar" or karaoke.  C'mon, admit it.  Though it may have been 30-something years since your teens but didn't you wish that you could sing like a Linda Ronstadt or play a guitar like Jimmy Page? 

Me?  I asked God for a voice like a bird and, by golly, I received it!  He answered my prayer, giving me the voice of a buzzard! (Note to self:  MUST be more specific in your prayers!)

This reminds me of something that happened during my high school years in Phoenix.  One of my good friends, John, played the piano (which I envied) and we were both HUGE Elton John fans. 

In those days, I recently discovered Elton's song, "Friends", and fell in love with it.  John and I started dinking around with the song, he on the piano and me on the guitar.  Together, we actually sounded pretty good.  No, really, we did.

Around the same time, I had the insane idea to enter into a kind of "open mic" thing at a local church youth gathering.  I envisioned singing it solo every bit as well as John and I sang it together in the choir practice rooms at school.  I even rehearsed it pretty darn good in the privacy of my own bedroom.  No, really, I did.

Well, the night of the youth event came and, eventually, my name was called and I walked up.  However, all sense of confidence and timing failed to walk up there with me.  The only thing that DID show up was my buzzard-like voice.  My "performance", such as it was, crashed and burned. John was in the small audience and, afterwards, being the uplifting friend that he was, said (in today's words), "Man!  You sucked!" 

Thanks for the blinding glimpse of the obvious, John.

Did his statement sting?  What do you think?  However, when friends are true friends, they will say it like it is and not pull any punches.  As Elton sang, "With a friend at hand, you will see the light."

John and I went through other experiences during our high school years.  We cried on each others shoulders about girlfriends (or girls that we wished were our girlfriends); complained about our jobs; even tried our hand at being DJ's at school dances (more about that in another article).  And, though we could wring each others necks from time to time, we remained close friends.

Isn't that what true friendship really is?  It is intended to be a relationship where the good times are enjoyed but, when needed, we are there for the other when things aren't so good - when we're down and out and the "buzzards are circling". . . or if we sing like one.  Even though we may not want to hear the constructive criticism (when it actually feels like DESTRUCTIVE criticism), we are usually much better for it.  It's been written that "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."  That is true with friendships and we should learn to cherish the times with those true friends.

I don't know about you, but it seems that friendships like I'm describing are hard to find these days.  I feel very fortunate.  In addition to my lovely and gracious first wife, I have three friends that I can count on to shoot very straight with me.  I may not always like what they have to say but I know that their word is true.

It's been over 30 years since those days.  John graduated from Moon Valley High School a year ahead of me and went on to pursue a successful career in radio.  We stay in irregular contact with each other.  However, it's not unusual for me to receive a call from him from time to time.  When I answer the call, the first words I hear is John singing, "Making friends for the world to see!" and then adds, "How ya doin', Bruthah?!"  The voice on the other end always brings a smile to my face.

Do you have a friend that you haven't chatted with in ages?  Why not take a few minutes and give them a call or send them a quick e-mail?  I think you'll find that "if your friends are there then everything's all right."

Now, if you'll pardon me, I think I'll give John a call and show him that the buzzard still croons!