On Sunday, I drove Robyn to the airport, then immediately went home to clean the place in anticipation of Craig and Donna’s expected arrival the following day. No rest for the wicked!
Craig and Donna are two of my closest friends. I first met them as a young lawyer shortly after I had accepted a position as a judicial law clerk to an appellate court judge, which required me to move to the relatively small city where the judge resided.
The place felt small and rural compared to my hometown, but it was a plum assignment I couldn’t refuse. My wife at the time didn’t immediately accompany me while she was establishing herself in her chosen field. Thus, except for the judge, I arrived not knowing another soul in the place.
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A week or two later, I discovered a popular bar that had a couple of billiards tables. I was never much of a drinker, but I enjoyed shooting pool. Over the course of one evening, I met Craig, who was holding down one of the two tables. The informal rule was that if you won, you stayed. We ended up playing as partners and held the table until closing time against all comers.
At the end of our evening, Craig invited me to join him and his wife for dinner at their home. In short order, a wonderful, lifelong friendship was established.
On the night we met, Craig told me he was planning to attend seminary school in a few months. I mentioned to my wife that I had met this guy shooting pool at a bar, who was planning to become a priest, and told her about our dinner, where I had met his delightful wife, Donna. My own wife, who was raised Catholic, laughed at my obvious mistake. When I asked what was so funny, she reminded me that priests didn’t marry. Oops!
As things turned out, Craig and Donna are Lutherans. In fact, until his recent death, Craig’s dad was an important Lutheran theologian who was long associated with the University of Chicago.
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I met Craig’s father on several occasions through the years. He was stiff and formal. Meanwhile, Craig is one of the most carefree, funniest individuals I’ve ever met. In many ways, he was the opposite of his father. Craig dutifully attended seminary school but never completed the program, nor did he follow in his father’s professional footsteps.
Donna, in great measure, has been the pillar of their enduring and successful relationship. They raised four beautiful children, all of whom I consider my friends, and in their retirement enjoy a growing horde of grandchildren, some of whom are nearly full-grown. I might be biased, however, in my opinion, Craig and Donna’s children and grandchildren could do far worse than to emulate them. Indeed, from what I have witnessed over the long years of our friendship, all of the kids and grandchildren are solid, substantial people. They are a living tribute to my friends’ good characters, their deeply held beliefs, and a robust zest for life.
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Craig and Donna departed this morning for Phoenix, where Craig has a younger sister. Meanwhile, we had a good but brief visit. I think they were a little sad to be leaving. Just like Robyn’s recent departure, I was a bit sad to see them go. However, in just a couple of days, I start over, preparing for my next two visitors. As I say, there is no rest for the wicked.
