I have been blessed
With the greatest friends in the world

It started with my brother and sister
They were my first friends
They taught me everything I knew
We had each other & shared dreams
We sang songs and played in the yard
My big sis and bro – Gods first gift
To this day – we love and respect each other

In time Ray & I started a band
We met musicians and rocked out!
The talent of those men was excellent
We all bonded and shared goals
We created together and had fun
They all taught me many things
I still thank God for them everyday

Later on when life was low
I met some other new friends
We bonded over commonality
We joined for mutual support
We shared all our ideas about life
We spoke of the idea of God
My friends are wiser than most
A profound gift of God are they

And now – I continue to meet more
Still again is it a blessing
Not because I am so deserving
But because they are so giving
Their ears are open to me
Their hearts are unified in loyalty
They accept me as I am

Sometimes for hours we would talk
Long into the night with stories
That we would improve ourselves
That we would learn how to be men
That we would become decent
That we could love our mates well
That we would discover this “God”

And looking back through life
I see that all I encountered
From the wisest to the foolish
From the smart to the challenged
From the talented to the fan
From the powerful to the weak
ALL I have met have been outstanding

Even more – I have known thousands
But a few are as warrior brothers

I’ve spent a lifetime surrounded
By the worlds most unique characters
By the worlds most interesting souls
None of whom required much of me
All of them I would try to emulate
All of them gave me understanding

How can one speak to those?
For they gave more than I did
They had more than I did
They knew more, experienced more
And showed me everything
That I ever wanted to know

These are no words
Of vain platitudes or grace
For everyday am I humbled
By the reality of these fine souls
By the gift of their spirit
And the offer of acceptance of me
Most gracious has been their trust

I am thankful to God deeply
For He has given me guides
All the days of my life
Some to show the way to hell
And some to show the way to heaven
And all of them extraordinary

We were outcasts – and not
Some for oddities – and some for fame
Of one sort or another – uncommon
But we had and have each other
From that beginning even until now
And they of great stature
In all spirit and character
We’re given to me as friends

God in His wisdom must have known
That I was lost and paranoid
And so provided the best of life
And presented me with great friends
Who carried me through hell
And honestly so – are true in faith

It is my hope
That all who I have called friend
Would know of my great respect
And my honest love for them
You are not just friends, but brothers
You are not just equals, but teachers
You are uncommon and special
In a way I have yet to comprehend
But the pattern I cannot deny!

God gave me eyes to see
Your spirits and intents
And I can say with great faith
That few have known so many
Who would become legends in this life
As I have known
And I will not forget this fact
For it is an act of God
That it has always been
Unlike the experience of most

I love you all as family
I thank you all for your friendship
You are brothers beyond this earth
You are great and powerful spirits
I have been undeserving of that gift
And shall always honor that truth

I look forward to seeing you all
Or the next time we talk ( probably tomorrow haha )

Thank you

Ryan o0o