Two Old Men

 The two old men sat at the same table at the cafe every morning.  They seemed so comfortable with each other, as if each knew everything about the other and accepted him anyway.

 The younger one drank coffee and smoked a pipe.  The older one drank water and did not smoke, but never complained when his friend did.  They would have a donut together and spend the whole morning talking over old times and the latest news.  There was about a twenty year difference in their ages, but they were friends in a way that the age difference did not matter.

 One morning the younger one, Fred, was feeling down.  He finally blurted out a painful question.

 "Sam, why have you stayed with me all these years after all the rotten things I've done, including some to you?  I'm not worth it.  Why are you still my friend?"

 The elder man had a slight smile come across his face, sensing his friend needed some humor to get through the day.  "Why, Fred, I just never had the energy to break in a new friend.  You know, once you get a friend trained up you don't like to lose him.  Besides I forgave you long ago for those things you did to me and to others.  And you know it.  We've talked about it many times."

 "Yeah, I know, but sometimes I get so down, I don't feel like I deserve any friends, especially a good one like you.  I don't understand why you didn't dump me long ago."

 "Well, think about it.  Who Would I have coffee with every morning?  Who would I talk to about the world, the past or just about anything?"

 "What do you mean 'just about'? I've always listened to every hair brained idea you ever had, and never complained about how stupid it was.  I wanted to a lot of times, but I didn't.  Of course then it turned out you were right, and I was glad I had not made a fool of myself."

 "There now that's what I mean.  Where would I find another friend like you, who had learned to be patient with my wild ideas.  Most people wouldn't even let me discuss them, much less help me develop them."

 "Yes, but, you have given me so much over the years, being my mentor, my advisor and my close friend.  What have you gotten out of this?"

 "Why Fred, I have gotten the most out of it.  Remember I took you under my wing when you were a lost little boy.  We got you through school, the army, work, marriage, family, grandchildren. You have had a very successful life, and I am very happy and fulfilled to have had a part in it."

 "A part in it!  You have been my wise counselor and guide the whole way."

 "Yes, and if I had given up on you as a friend when you did something wrong, I would have missed out on all of this, wouldn't I."

 "I suppose so.  Did you know back then, each time I messed up, that I would be worth keeping as a friend?"

 "Yes, Fred, no matter what, you were and are worth keeping as a friend.  You have me as a friend for the rest of your life, if you want me."

 "Wow, I feel so much better, and I feel like I haven't done anything to deserve it."

 "Just being you is enough, with all the good and the bad, just you is more than enough to keep our friendship."

 "You mean I do not have to be perfect to be your friend?"

 "No!  Of course not.  If you had to be perfect, you and I both know there could be no friendship, and you and I both know we have had a wonderful friendship that has lasted nearly all your life."

 "You're right about that."

 "What makes you think friendship is about being perfect?"

 "Well it hurts me to disappoint you.  I expect it hurts you too, and I would expect to avoid that hurt you would break off the friendship, and I wouldn't blame you."

 "Friendship is not for perfection.  Friendship is for loving, caring, helping, being there, guiding, through good times and bad, and the joy of seeing your friend succeed and be joyously happy after harsh trials and tribulations, where he tripped and fell many times, and you helped him up again every time, and he went on to succeed in spite of all his challenges and all his faults.  That is the joyous reward of friendship for life."

 "Yeah, and you knew how to turn my head around when I had the wrong idea about something.  Talk about changing sour lemons into lemonade, I mean you are the master."

 "I only helped you see what really mattered in life, and what was leading you away from the joy you were created to live."

 "But I had no idea what the joy was, until you taught me."

 "I know.  That is one of the rewards of this friendship, guiding you through the whirlwind of bad alternatives to reach real happiness."

 "Does that make you feel good.  It would make me feel wonderful, if I had done that for someone, such as my children or grandchildren, or even a stranger."

 "We are alike, you and I.  It makes me feel whole and joyful too.  Actually when you do something that makes you really happy that I taught you and guided you to do right, both of us feel the same joy.  That is being one in love."

 "I do not know exactly what that means, but it sounds really good."

 "It is.  If you define love as being one in harmony with all, then when we both do our part with that result, we are participating together in the harmony of all and we are one in love."

 "I still don't get it, but since you are my friend I guess I don't have to."

 "That's right.  I am not offended in the least.  I appreciate your effort to understand it, and no matter, I will keep guiding you toward that oneness in love whether you understand it or not.  It is the best, most loving thing I can do for you.  In so doing I am loving you the best I can.  I eagerly do that for my friend, and I keep our friendship no matter what."