One of Many Gifts...

This weekend, I spent approximately 10 hours driving to martial art events.  It gives a guy a lot of time to think.
     Saturday was the "Foundations Seminar Series" at Triangle Kung Fu Arnis Academy in Raleigh, NC.  We spent about 7 hours training in multiple disciplines; kung fu, balintawak, modern arnis, aikido, BJJ, etc.  My mind is still reeling from all of the information.  The teachers of these classes happen to be great friends of mine that I made while living in Raleigh. There is absolutely zero presence of ego at these events.  We all truly enjoy each other's company and believe in sharing knowledge with each other.  Most of us have moved on to other jobs, locations, etc, but we always look forward to events where we can meet again and train.
     Sunday was the International Martial Arts Symposium in Columbia, SC held at the Marriott Hotel in the downtown area.  I wasn't originally planning on going to this, but I got an IM from another martial arts brother asking if I could come down and assist with presenting a demo of Balintawak.  He has certainly done me a favor or two in the past...how could I say no?  So down I went.  We put on a dynamic display of stick fighting skills that enabled me to hear a few "oohs" and "aahs" from the crowd. 
    
So where am I going with this, you may ask?

     Through the martial arts, I have received many gifts.  One gift is that I have met and made friends with some of the nicest, most honorable people I could hope to know (I've come across a few nuts I try to avoid also, but that's another story).  We have a bond forged through a common goal...to be good people, and great martial artists.  Even though I didn't meet these people until well into my adult life, I know that I can pick up the phone and they will be here to help.  They can count on me to do the same (like this past Sunday).  There are few activities in life where you can make friends like this, and of this caliber. 

Driving home yesterday, the closing line of the movie "Stand By Me" was ringing through my brain. "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve.  Jesus, does anybody?". 

Yes, I do. 

Thanks, guys.  You know who you are...