Lou Gates, my aunt, writes poetry as a hobby. She doesn't share her poetry readily. This is one of the few I have read. It captures the strong friendship she shared with Ann Christensen Goad.
I have heard the statistic of the rarity of a person who has five lifelong
friends. When Friendship Day for 2015 appeared on the calendar today, August
2, it only seemed appropriate to blog about it. One of the finest examples of
genuine friendship was eloquently described in a poem penned by Lou Dixon
Gates, my paternal aunt.
She and Ann
Christensen Goad met at Burbank High School in 1950. They shared a love of
playing basketball and soon found they had other interests in common.
As the poem
depicts, these two kindred spirits shared a common bond that held them together
through marriages, bearing four children each, reaching their career goals, and
supporting each other amidst sorrow and illness.
The two “girls”
involved their husbands in their friendship as her poem bears out. The four enjoyed attending many sporting events together. They took in the yearly farm show, making it a two-day adventure.
I recall Uncle Jim Gates regretting that he didn’t go visit Forrest “Frosty” Goad, Ann’s husband, for the last time. Uncle Jim has had innumerable rounds of chemotherapy to combat the Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma that has invaded his body. I remember sharing a scripture verse that had encouraged me when the constraints of life prevented me from doing all I would like to do for a person or in a situation. Jesus spoke of Mary of Bethany, responding to criticism of her anointing him with costly perfume, with these words recorded in Mark 14: 8, “She has done what she could.” He went on to explain that her action would be an ongoing memorial of her love for Him. A true friend understands our limitations and loves us, truly valuing any expressions of genuine friendship, no explanations or apologies needed,
I recall Uncle Jim Gates regretting that he didn’t go visit Forrest “Frosty” Goad, Ann’s husband, for the last time. Uncle Jim has had innumerable rounds of chemotherapy to combat the Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma that has invaded his body. I remember sharing a scripture verse that had encouraged me when the constraints of life prevented me from doing all I would like to do for a person or in a situation. Jesus spoke of Mary of Bethany, responding to criticism of her anointing him with costly perfume, with these words recorded in Mark 14: 8, “She has done what she could.” He went on to explain that her action would be an ongoing memorial of her love for Him. A true friend understands our limitations and loves us, truly valuing any expressions of genuine friendship, no explanations or apologies needed,
The writer of
Proverbs inspired by the spirit of God wrote in Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves
at all times.” My aunt’s poem illustrates this Biblical principle. She and Ann
lived out this verse throughout their lives.
 |
| Lou Gates |
Friends
Two Girls
One country girl
Outside chores and walked a lot
One city girl
Inside jobs and walked a little
School together
Science, Miss Mantooth
History, Mrs Brandenburg
English, Mrs Norman
Typing, Gussie
Drivers Ed, Mr Stegall
Change gears going up school hill
Basketball
Mr Stegall
Wasn’t as old as we thought
Bus rides
Girls to the front, boys to the back
Teamwork, signals, plays
Noon hour
Joe Hedge drug
Coke in a bottle
Spearmint gum a nickel pkg
Sat nights
Fairfax a must
One dollar paid for
Hamburger, Malt, Movie and Dance
Boys
Dated several
Picked two,
Wouldn’t you know they were both coon hunters
Each of the four
Accepted Christ as Savior
The city girl moved to the country
Walked a lot
The country girl move to city
Walked little
Busy life four children each
Church
School
Ballgames
Home
As promised
Thru thick and thin
Grace, Mercy and Peace
FRIENDS
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