Last night was the Big One. Essentially the last night of the regular season, and the biggest night this year at the Amazing Bar and Grill.
There was another special occasion marked last night, the 40th birthday of my trusted friend, Marty “Wild Man” Wild. 
That’s right, his last name is Wild, and the name says it all. Actually, he’s not wild at all, just a super nice guy that has become one of my closest friends.
It’s pretty hard to keep a secret in a close knit community of 200, but we did it. We held a surprise birthday party for Marty and I’m pretty sure, he was surprised. I had to cry wolf, and I feel bad I did, but I was told by those that know (the women), that’s what it would take to get him off the couch. So, about 8:30, I called him.
“Marty, it’s Brian, I’m in trouble. I need your help right now. I’m on the dock.” Click.
It didn’t take long. As I said, Marty is one of my closest friends. We knew he would have to cross through the pool to the dock, so we all crouched and cuddled in the only corner of the pool area that can’t be seen from Marty’s balcony. After the initial “Surprise!” we moved the gathering down to the AB&G.
It was a great night with a great turnout. Everyone here, that knows Marty, loves Marty. He’s a good person and a lot of people showed up to wish him their best.
No pun intended the evening was Amazing. I must be the luckiest guy in the world to have friends like this. It was great fun to be surrounded by them.
A long time ago when I was a teenager, my Father once told me,
“If you make one true friend in your whole life, your lucky.”
I must be the richest man in the world.
It’s relationships that make the lake very special. The water adds an urgency and seriousness to friendships built over time on the lake. You learn who you can really count on, and who you can’t. Life and death issues build very strong bonds. In the 10 years I’ve lived here, I have built many of the best friendships of my life.
It was a great time last night. A lot was said, and there was a lot of love in the room. Even though I was up late, I woke up early this morning, in absolute awe of the relationships, friendships, trust & loyalty I was surrounded with the night before.
Tonight, it is extraordinarily quiet and it will only get quieter. I have gone from the last big gathering of the year, to a vacuum. Marcia and the Kids left this morning and it’s lonely. I will most likely leave tomorrow, unless I get stuck in the zone, which is not only possible, but probable.
My 20th wedding anniversary is Wednesday. I probably should be home for that.
Entries (RSS)