Storm Clouds and Close Friends

A monsoon of sadness rolled in with the clouds this week. Two friends, in different parts of the state, are facing serious health issues that overshadowed our Monday “date night” in Sellwood. Savory tacos and smooth margaritas were only a brief distraction from the concerns we carried for our friends and mentors. Add the latest news and weather from across the country, and it’s easy to spiral into a Northwest winter funk.

 

Jennifer and I are blessed to share a passion for community and friendships that transcend fly fishing, and we care for those we’ve met through the sport and our travels as if they were family. Seeing family suffer is never easy, but the sadness is compounded by events unfolding before our eyes on a daily basis. Now, more than ever, we need community. People with shared passions and values who are willing to listen, comfort, and understand the fears and concerns we are all facing; friends who are willing to be there for friends.

 

Seeking a touchstone, I reached out to my friend, Stefan, yesterday to see how his wife, Barbara’s, new hips were healing and how his ski season was going in Germany. My Signal App pinged this morning, Stefan informing me the new hips weren’t up to skiing, so they had booked flights and a camper in New Zealand and were enjoying playing tourists and trout-fishing on the South Island. Even though we didn’t speak in person, reaching out and reconnecting brought our friendship back into focus and brightened a dreary day. Seeing Barbara gently holding a fine brown trout in the clear New Zealand waters brought a smile to my face. I look forward to the next Signal chat, hopefully filled with more nice fish and adventure stories, and no top-secret battle plans.

 

Another ping, another update, this time from my friend, Ramon, in Venezuela. Amid the lingering confusion, Ramon expressed hope and optimism for his country's future. His words reflected his entrepreneurial spirit, tempered by years spent in Caracas under a dictator's shadow. Realistically, the road ahead is a long one, but a glimmer of hope remains for a return to the pancake flats of Los Roques to visit those monster tailing Bonefish that frequent them, and my dear friend. It seems the need to reach out is universal; friendships overshadowing politics and current world events.

 

There are plenty of options for touching bases with friends all around this spinning orb; to reconnect, send well wishes, or simply say hello. If stormclouds are blocking out the light in your heart, it’s time to reach out and rekindle the flame by reconnecting with friends, letting them know you care, and being there if they need you, to simply listen. If someone crosses your mind this week, reach out.