05/19/2013

 I received a telephone call Friday morning that turned out to be gossip. A co-worker called specifically to tell me that another co-worker has decided he doesn’t like me and is talking about me to others. I cut the conversation short, as politely as I knew how by telling her that I don’t need to know the details of what’s being said or why. If this person doesn’t care for me, that’s his right for whatever reason, and I don’t feel the need to find out why.
She was a little flabbergasted by my attitude and doesn’t understand why I have no interest in finding out why this guy doesn’t like me. 
Well, first of all I don’t have the burning desire to be loved by each and every person that passes me on the street. If they like me, that’s great, new friends are always welcome. If they don’t, then that’s their prerogative and I also have no problem with that. The whys and wherefores don’t matter simply because I have no intention of tailoring myself to fit the ideal of another person in any way. At this point in life, I am very much a take me or leave me kind of guy. I treat everyone with the same courtesy and respect that I expect to receive from them, regardless of how they may or may not feel about me. In my youth, it bothered me a lot when I felt that someone didn’t like me for some reason. I wasted a lot of time and energy concerning myself with such, and finally decided I was being foolish. 
This is me: I am a slightly over the hill Caucasian American male. I am conservative in my political beliefs. I am a Christian who believes it is my job to love without judgement. Judgement is God’s job not mine, and so far He hasn’t asked me for assistance in that department.
I am the widowed father of three sons, two still at home. I work at a job that pays my bills, sometimes barely, but pays them all the same.
I love my kids, and everything I do is to try to help them become happy and productive young men. Sometimes against their will. I had a fourth son Austin, from my first marriage, whom we lost when he was eighteen, and while the loss was indescribable, it clarified what is important to me. My family. I am not missing out on anything, because they are what I enjoy, and they are exceptional young men.
I don’t "preach" my faith to anyone who doesn’t ask, but again, I am a Christian. Without my faith I would not be able to make it through some days. You don’t have to believe as I do to be my friend. You don’t have to believe at all. As I said, I don’t judge you based on things that are none of my business. Your faith, lack of faith, skin color, income level, sexual orientation, social status; these are not my business. All I care about is that I am treated with the same courtesy and respect I show you. I try to live honestly; I do not lie. I am too blunt sometimes, and I am trying to be more conscious of it. If I offend you, call me on it, I’m not sensitive to criticism. And I do not gossip about you. If a person wants to talk to me, I am always willing to listen without feeling the need to tell someone else your problems. 
My best friend is my ex-wife. I know people thing that’s strange. Deal with it. After all we’ve shared, supporting and encouraging one another through the good, bad, and indescribably painful down through three decades of love and friendship, she ain’t goin’ nowhere. Keep walking if it bothers you.
I have a small circle of close friends, most of whom I’ve known my entire adult life and a few even longer. They love me warts and all, and believe me, they have seen the warts. They are as much my family to me as my brother and sister.
So, if someone in the world doesn’t want to be my friend? It may not be their loss, but it’s not really mine either because my life is extremely full of the things that matter. To me anyway. You can jump on board or miss the boat, that’s up to you.
So, now that I’ve rambled aimlessly on here I’m going to wash a load of laundry and get ready for church.