The Answer to a Forty Year Question

Bobby and I were good friends back in middle school. We were early morning running buddies and partners in teenage boy pranks. At some point, he suddenly moved away and I never saw him again.

Fast forward forty-something years later, I attended his uncle’s funeral—a man who was a mentor to us both. Someone told me, “Bobby is here.” I said, “Where?!” It had been so many years, I wasn’t sure I could pick him out of the crowd.

One of the pallbearers looked familiar. I went up to him after the service, “Is that you, Bobby?” It wasn’t. Later, at the graveside service, I asked his cousin to help me find him. She pointed, over behind the tent, and there he was! His face had more creases and lines, but it was clearly my old friend, and he still had a full head of hair—unlike me.😊

We reminisced about our reckless teen years and caught up with each other’s lives. Bobby told me he is a supervisor with AAFES, a military contractor. I shared with him about flourishing in my third career as an educator.

There had to be a photo, of course:

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17


Kind reader, many times over the past four decades, I’ve thought about my good friend Bobby. “How did his life turn out; was he okay?” It was the passing of a dear father-like figure to us both that brought us back together. Finding my old friend again, behind a tent in a cemetery, felt less like a search and more like a gift from God.

Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ Prayers and love.


The Stigma Stops Here.🛑

#mentalhealthmatters


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18 responses to “The Answer to a Forty Year Question”

  1. Chris G Thelen Avatar

    Thanks, David.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. davidsdailydose Avatar

    It is indeed, Chris. My condolences on the passing of your brother.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Chris G Thelen Avatar

    Thanks for sharing this touching experience. I recently experienced the same thing at my brother’s funeral—seeing some old friends and relatives I have not seen in a long time. As you said, it is a gift from God to reconnect.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. davidsdailydose Avatar

    It was a wonderful experience to see Bobby again, after so many years. God’s richest blessings to your and Susan, as well!🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Alan Kearns Avatar

    Such reunions really are special – praise God for your one brother David. May God continue to guide and bless you and Nancy today 🙏 🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    Liked by 1 person

  6. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Hello again, Maria! Thank you for stopping by. Namaste.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. MariaTeresa Avatar

    What a heartwarming story of friendship that stands the test of separation and time for we are always one in heart. Beautiful share my 🧡 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

  8. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Yes, it was!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. davidsdailydose Avatar

    That’s how it felt, Malcolm. It was good to see my old friend again and to know that all is well with him.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. davidsdailydose Avatar

    Indeed, it was!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. God Still Speaks Avatar

    This is a lovely gift indeed!

    Liked by 2 people

  12. malcolmsmusingscom Avatar

    I’m with you, David. Sometimes ‘chance meetings’ are an unexpected gift from God.

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Pure Glory Avatar

    Wonderful, David, that you found your friend whom you had not seen for forty years. What a blessing!

    Liked by 2 people

  14. davidsdailydose Avatar

    How true, Betty! It was certainly true for Bobby and me. Thanks for stopping by. God Bless.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Betty Avatar

    It seems to me that with our friends from our youth, years and years can pass, and if we happen to see them again, the connection is still there.

    Liked by 3 people

  16. davidsdailydose Avatar

    It was, brother! I figured my old friend would be at the funeral, but it took until near the end of the service to find him.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. The Devotional Guy™ Avatar

    What a cool reunion, David! I was able to catch up with a couple of old friends recently and it’s such a remarkable treasure to be able to do that. Blessings 🙏

    Liked by 3 people

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