But here I need to tell you a story involving a small group of friends that has an extra special position in my life and affections:
Once upon a time many years ago a little blond boy entered the world, probably screaming and maybe even cursing, though he was generally sunny natured. About a year or so later he was introduced to a little boy a year older than himself, whose parents were friends with his lot. Over time they were brought together by their parents to play usually at the same time as the parents socialised, but not living next door to one another this was not an everyday occasion. Nevertheless their friendship grew and grew, was further tested but also strengthened during joint family summer holidays, and developed further with the passing of time.
The original little boy, by now six years old, left to live in the USA for a year, leaving his by now well-established friend behind but without forgetting him. On his return about a year later the two little boys took up where they left off, more or less, getting together quite often.
On his return from the USA the little blond boy, by now not quite so little, had what turned out to be a pleasant surprise in his neighbourhood - two new boys, brothers, just a bit older than him - had moved in more or less next door, so were instantly available potential playmates and possible friends. And friends they, indeed, became, to the point that late last year they celebrated sixty years of friendship! Shortly thereafter they were introduced to the blond boy's other friend, soon becoming firm friends with him also. The young boys not only played together regularly, including football, but became something of a unit, hanging around together at every available opportunity despite various ups and downs in their lives. Their little unit even acquired a name, which to this day describes the individuals involved but which must remain secret.
The blond boy was fortunate to have some spare space in his family's garage, with this becoming a base for the boys, a sort of clubhouse for their activities, this lasting throughout most of their teenage years. To the despair of some of the long-suffering neighbours one of their activities was a pop group, generating plenty of noise, which thankfully developed from the original cacophony to a loud but accomplished modern sound. Three of the four provided musical services (guitar, bass guitar, drums) while the fourth member, less keen on performing, remained as support staff. With parties and local events benefitting from their abilities, the musical activity lasted for maybe three years all told. All sorts of other adventures also ensued, especially as the eldest boy by now had a driver's licence and an ageing Austin Cambridge car available to him!
Life does not follow our self-penned scripts, alas, and the four boys experienced some serious ups -and even more serious- downs over the next few years. While the time spent together varied, their bond was tested but remained strong, and so it has remained despite many changes in their lives including living in a different country, weddings, funerals, children, financial triumphs and catastrophes. They have remained firm friends throughout, supporting each other in times of need and enjoying the shared history that unites them to this day, irrespective of how often they meet. And all this time there have been no fallings out, no periods of unpleasantness, no estrangement; to this day if one of the four asks one of the others for help with something the response is always positive within the realistic possibilities available.
From being the little blond boy, and you probably guessed that was me, I am now a bald, ageing man grateful for the blessing that is my friendship with these three individuals. And how we feel about each other can best be summed up by the response of one of the four when thanked by the sister of one of the others for helping with a bureaucratic problem her brother had, quote: 'I would do anything within my power for him.'
Eternal beloved friends 'baked in the oven of life' so to speak, so much more than brothers, to you as long as I live and breathe I will be loyal and grateful.
