Enduring Friendship

Earlier this week I dropped off my 77 year-old Dad at the airport. He was on his way to Florida to spend the week with some friends of his. What is amazing is that these are his friends from high school.

They formed a group at that young age and have kept in touch all of these years.

They have seen each other through a lot and this trip is especially meaningful to my sister and I as it's his first trip since my Mom died two years ago. To see him eager to make a trip and know he will enjoy himself means everything to us.

How amazing is that that these guys who knew my Dad when he was a high school basketball star, still know him 60 years later. As they tell stories about their children and grandchildren and talk politics, I know there will still be conversations centered around the amazing feats of "Philly" the basketball player.

Is friendship a determinant of good health? We all would say it was an important factor and I know for sure that my Dad's good health, following the unexpected and tragic loss of my Mom, has a lot to do with how he still enjoys life and can have fun with the guys.