Those of you who have been following my story of how I became acquainted with “the boys” will be pleased to read this latest installment. (Not familiar with the story? Check out this blog first, then this one to fill in the blanks.)
Early Monday morning, while I was still hugging my first cup of coffee and trying to wake up, I got an email from Tony, one of my original “boys.” Apparently one of the group had seen my blog on Facebook and told the gang about it. They were still meeting at Burger King every day, and he invited me to stop in some morning.
No way was I going to wait for “some morning.” It took me less than a half hour to get myself together and drive to Burger King.
As usual, I was welcomed with big smiles and open arms. Carl brought me a coffee and everyone filled me in on how the group’s been managing. Some old friends have passed away, very few new ones have joined. After bopping around from Hegedorn’s to Bill Gray’s to Guida’s to McDonald’s, they finally settled into the Burger King in Webster Plaza, where they’ve been for more than ten years. The pandemic didn’t even slow them down. When they couldn’t gather in a restaurant, they brought folding chairs and set up in a parking lot, tailgate-style.
The conversations haven’t changed much, focusing mostly on solving the problems of Webster and the world at large. By now, the boys have pretty much got all those problems solved. But that won’t keep them from their regular morning meetings, because, they all agreed, getting together with old friends is a great way to start the day.
And meeting up with old friends was a great way to start my week.
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(posted 8/29/2023)
webster on the web 
“The boys are back in town, The boys are back in town! (whisper: The boys are back … the boys are back …)” Props to Thin Lizzy [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQo1HIcSVtg] We find our better selves reflected in our friends, whose warmth, kindness and charity smooth the rough edges away. And friendship multiplies, and spreads – just like in your example. Two become four, becomes eight, and it grows. Society is built upon cooperative friendships, and we all need more; all that’s needed is trust, respect and a large dose of humor. I’m glad that you reconnected, Missy. You honor them by telling their story. May those friendships live long & prosper.
Oh, you are quite the philosopher my friend! Thank you!