(from an air conditioner man)

I didn’t know my friend Daniel existed until 12 years ago.  It would have been better for me if I had known him before that, although I can’t speak for him.

I became acquainted with him while he was installing an A/C unit at a project we both happened to be working on. 

When I heard he was from Cimarron area, I asked if he happened to know any of my relation; and I think that question is sort of what got it started between us. 

Come to find out, his dad had died quite unexpectedly.  It was a shock to the community, and unfathomable to the family.  He told me then, and again now 12 years later, that my grandmother had been so kind to them during that time, bringing them food and staying for two days and nights with his mother right after the death.  And as far as I know, my grandmother was a stranger to the family, though I’m quite sure she didn’t remain a stranger.

All this was long before my time, but it felt like my grandmother’s kindness from way back then sort of binds us together, all these years later.

There were/are three things, no four, that I was immediately attracted to in Daniel.  And I hope that in some small measure I have been able to impress, at least the first three, into my boys.

Dan is particular, courteous, fair, and has a corny sense of humor.

Through the years, we’ve ranged on many different topics.  I’ve stopped by his shop and he has taken me to his hobby trailer where his restored car is.  We’ve talked about the President.  We’ve talked about his hired help.  We’ve talked about the church he goes to and the church I go to.

But it was a conversational question I asked, rather on the spur of the moment ten years ago, that has evoked the most thought and same question, when I asked it just three months ago of him, that got the same answers.

Dan has been married three times.  His first wife divorced him.  His second wife died a terrible death from cancer, and I would agree with Dan that God probably brought him into her life to help her through that time.  He and his third wife live happily together, as long as she gets to drive his high- powered sports car once in a while.

“So Dan,” I said, while taking a break with him on the sunny side of our house one cold winter day, “you’ve been married three times.  Got any words of wisdom for me?”

“Yes I do,” was his immediate answer.  “There are three things you need to know that will keep your marriage intact.  You always say them in this order—”

“Yes, dear.”

“You’re right , dear.”

“I’ll do it right away dear.”

Very few of you know who my friend Dan is.  Doesn’t matter though.  I’ve been practicing his words of wisdom now for ten years, and it seems to be working, in a sort of, tongue in cheek way.

And I venture to say, (very respectfully, of course) if the other side of the house practices those same words of wisdom, we tend to get along famously. 

You know how it is for some folks when they get up in front of church to have a special number or something and they make a few nonsensical remarks before they get started?  I’m pretty sure they do that to ease their nerves and brace themselves up for what comes next.  Sort of lighten things up for themselves, maybe.

More than the words themselves, my friend Dan gave my wife and I, and maybe you too, a nice little way to ease the situation up a bit when things are a little tense by smiling and saying,

“Yes dear”

“You are right dear”

“I’ll do it right away dear”

(And we don’t always say them in that order either)