I moved to Seattle in September 1969 from Memphis TN and immediately started at Cascade Jr High. My mother and I lived in a tiny little house on 116th in White Center. It was about the size of our storage shed. Bob lived just up the hill on 114th in a house twice as big, but he had seven brothers and two sisters. We walked to school everyday back then. I walked right by Bob's house which was named Fosterville on the way to school everyday.
For three weeks in September, based purely on timing, I would be either three steps ahead of Bob or he would be three steps ahead of me. We both walked the same route and we were both in the same home room. And we sat next to each other.
Three weeks and neither of us indicated that we were aware that the other existed.
We both went out for the Jr. High football team. Bob made right tackle, I made right guard.
Three weeks!
Well, we eventually talked and have been best friends ever since. The picture above is from my wedding ceremony to Peggy. In attendance were Peggy, an old friend of Peggy's and me and Bob.
Bob played baseball as well. Bob was the catcher for the local baseball team prior to my moving to town. I did not know this until his father told me that ten years or so ago. I replaced Bob as the local catcher and Bob learned to play first base. Bob batted behind me all through youth leagues and high school. Bob could rake. He held Evergreen High School's record for RBI's for years after graduation. We last played together for a semi pro team my freshman year of college. Bob did not go to college and was soon swept up into the working life.
Sometimes I reflect on our friendship and wonder how we lasted so long. We probably had eight full on fist-fights over the years and they were typical of our first fight.
About two weeks after actually talking to each other and being friends we apparently started to get on each others nerves. Words were said and we both were going down the litany of why the other guy was the dumber guy (both of us conceding we were each fairly stupid). I went too far and remarked on the fact that he wore the same damn pair of pants everyday (way below the belt because both of us were so poor that in fact I wore the same pants everyday). Bob denied this and made the ludicrous statement that "No, these aren't the same pants, I have three pairs just like them." Well I guess when I looked down at the grease spot on his knee and looked back at him he realized what my next comment would be and it was on!
Each time it came to blows, the air cleared, we understood each other a little better and I think deep down we learned something about ourselves. There was something special to have a true friend that you could be real stupid with, make horrible mistakes and yet respect them enough to forgive them and yourself for actions that are part of growing up. And learning how to forgive yourself is probably the most important aspect of growing up.
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