Glue

When I was in college some friends and I went to a football game in Houston and stayed at our family camp house. We had a terrific time so we did the same thing for the conference basketball tournament in the Spring. As I was driving one of the guys said, “This is so much fun we should just keep doing it”, even though it was our senior year and we’d be spread out after leaving school. I thought it was a terrific idea, so I invited them all back in the fall and most of them came. This was the start of me becoming a glue person.

What I’ve found throughout the years is that most people have good intentions of staying in touch with friends. They just let life get in the way. They need a glue person to help them out. The most important quality of a glue person is being sticky. I don’t let go of people that I really like easily. I’m the one who works to stay in touch and see them when possible. It doesn’t require talent or skill, just effort. My overriding idea is this. What else in life is more important than keeping relationships with the people I enjoy?

It’s a big investment, but it also pays huge dividends. I’ll give you an example. At my oldest daughter’s wedding my college roommate, Bill, came all the way from New Jersey. My two best friends from my hometown, Tim and Neil, were literally the last two people to leave because they stayed to help until all the cleanup was done.

Just before we were leaving I talked to my youngest daughter. I told her, “Look who’s still here. This isn’t an accident. If you want these kinds of friends in your life, it takes effort. And it’s more than worth it.”

At the wedding, I was happy for my daughter. She chose a great guy that we love. I also had the overwhelming feeling of being replaced. I was not the most important man in her life anymore. I lost something and it hurt. However, when it was all over I looked around and saw what I still had, tremendous friends. I’m so glad I chose to be a glue person.

May you have enough today, one moment at a time.