Dennis Hollenbeck, Matt Polhammer, and Norm Crawford.
It was a kind of cold early morning sometime back in 1978, or could have even been in 77, but we three stood there saying good bye to our good friend Matt who was off to Japan for a year in the Forighn Student Exchange program and although we knew he was coming back, we knew we (Norm and I) where going to miss our Third Wheel, Fellow Moose, and just good old hanging out doing crazy stuff FRIEND!
I’m sure Norm and I wondered exactly how things would be with out Matt but we soon learned how to still have fun without him as I’m sure he learned to have fun without us, and we also learned that we’d establish new friends to have wild and crazy times with—Right Greg???
Now that was some 30+ years ago and most friends from those good old High School Days would just fall away and soon become just a distant memory. For us however it has been the complete opposite and our friendships have continued on and we were all usually around for each others weddings, we held each others new born babies, and watched them grow up to young men and women–Seeing them all grow up and drive (or soon to drive) is kind of scary. We have hiked hills, camped in the deserts, climbed rocks, BBQ’d in our Back Yards, went on road trips,,,and yea, we even somehow find our selves STILL on occasion getting into some kind of trouble.
This last week however we have realized that we are coming into an odd stage of life and just as we have passed through all the other stages of life together, we will also walk together through the unfortunate stage of having our loved ones pass on. So far I have lost my Dad, Norm has lost his Dad, and last week Norm laid his Mom to rest. We all loved Mrs. Crawford, well,,,,,us guys just called her Mama Croc and I don’t think she minded it. Norms house was like a second home for me (as like all my other buddies homes), but Norm’s parents really challenged me spiritually in very unique and special way.
As with some funerals you catch up with people that you have not seen in many years (never the case however with us guys) and I can only hope that some day when I pass on that I’ll be at least be able to provide that opportunity to others as well—yea, even when I’m dancing in the Golden Streets of Heaven I hope to be able to have a party down here. The realization of it all came to me as I heard Matt’s wife Yumiko sing Amazing Grace in her beautiful and flowing voice and I watched Norm grieve with his sister. Even though you know your parents are in a better place, even though you know they had a great impact on people, and even though you are blessed with knowing that they are with Jesus,,,,You still Miss them, just as I still miss my Dad, and just as I miss Norm’s dad Bud.
I’m sure reunions like these will continue from time to time and we don’t want them to, but it’s just a part of Life as We Know It. I look forward to the adventures that still await me and my Buddies and I’m so thankful for them and a wife that understands the bond that all of us share. The great Pacific, the Grand Rockies, and the Hot Deserts might separate us, but it’s not enough to keep a few guys, cards, chips (not the eating king), and a few cold ones from getting together and having some laughs about what was, and what can still be.
Dennis, Matt, and Norm
Debbie and Yumiko
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