Breakfast 43 -- Paul Martin

       I have a Google Pixel phone/camera that has been taking really good pictures.  Leave it to Google that they somehow have figured out how to catch the soul of each person I have breakfast with.  It is crazy when I look at these pictures how great they have captured the magic in the person that I get to see my whole life.  This is Paul,  look to the right, that little hint of mischief in his smile is the same friend that continues to bring me joy in my life.  It is kind of funny that our friend group all started in pairs.  Hellwig and Krumrey, Martin and Stephens, Abels and Agne, Sciuto and me,  Doug and JP (Doug had last pick LOL)  and so on.   Lives get busy and people move and would still think these guys are the greatest,  but the time we spend with each other changes.  I am very happy I got the funny guy, Paul in all of these changes (btw  Paul is not funny).

        I often hear great things that encourages me to change my words and think differently.  After Tony's dad died,  I went to Weber's with Tony, his son Nick,  his nephew Steve and his girlfriend.  I had taught Steve's half brother John Friskel and said, "Hey, I taught you half-brot....."  I got to about there and Steve stopped me,  "In our family, he is just my brother."  I will remember those words for a long time.  We live in a world, where we have a lot of  non-traditional families,  but I think we ware starting "a new tradition" of just loving every one.  Paul and Nanci, his wife have done a great job of raising three daughters as just a family,  where the concern and care are always full of love.  The girls all have their own personalities and it seems like each daughter comes with 2 dogs,  but in their home and watching their interactions it is just people loving each other.  Nanci is excitable and loud and lets you know how welcome you are in her home right away.  Paul is the natural yang to that yin and together they do a wonderful job.  I probably feel more comfortable in their house than even my own.  It is probably my favorite place to hang.  Sometimes I am a nice guest,  but often I am causing trouble,  just like the black dog that does not let the other dog rest....that is me.  Paul accepts me whoever I am that day.  He has been there too long and our friendship is not spoken about too much.  But Paul is definitely in the first handful of people that I share my joy with or over the last group of years my frustrations. 

       Today, we started planning our annual Guy trip,  and we realized that this trip might be a lot smaller with just Frank (Lunch 10),  Paul, and myself.  I love it when we have the large group as I always want 100 of my friends with me at all times,  but there would be a certain charm and enjoyment with just the 3 Amigos as we would probably laugh the entire time (btw Frank is not funny either). 

       It has been an interesting week, and Paul has been right here.  Making sure I went out the other night just to take my mind off of the upcoming obstacles.  The funny thing is that I know Paul will always be there,  next week, next year or 5 years down the road.  There is a lot more to say about a friendship that has lasted this long,  but a lot of our friendship is in the pauses and the silence.  He knows me as well as anyone I know.   and I know that if anyone ever says anything bad about me, he will punch them right in the face.   maybe??