March 21, 2005
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MY FRIEND THE DEMOCRAT
The workplace can be an interesting environment when it comes to friendships. It has the potential to foster an “us against them” mentality that quickly bonds like minded people together. It might manifest itself as labor vs. management, or sales vs. engineering, or even men vs. women. In my office it is Democrats vs. Republicans.
There are only 27 people in my office, but it is an office so staunchly Republican that I’m surprised we are not required to kiss the feet of a life size statue of George Bush upon entering the building. During a presentation made by a manufactures rep, the name “Bill Clinton” was mentioned, and our office actually “booed” out loud.
Out of those 27 people there are only two Democrats; myself and my friend
This political distinction has led to a fast friendship between David and me. We generally get together at least a couple of times each week at the office to discuss current political events. It’s always great to know that someone else is in your corner.
Two weeks ago David was having some back pain and the doctors thought it was a slipped disc. He checked into the hospital to have some further tests done. They discovered that the reason for the pain was actually 4th stage pancreatic cancer. He died Saturday. He was 45 years old.
David left a wife, a 16 year old daughter, and an 11 year old son.
No one here at the office today cares that David was a Democrat. The political distinctions that seemed so important two weeks ago seem pretty silly today.
During my years in the ministry I was around death a lot. I even served as a hospital chaplain for a brief time, and I am still caught off guard by how quickly our friends and loved ones can be snatched from us.
Look around you today. Are the issues that separate you from others really as important as they seem? I bet they aren’t.
Comments (11)
damn, that’s too bad.
after i wrote my blog this morning, i got an email with a link to the blog of someone on my writing list. the blog was written by the woman’s husband and started out by saying that they didn’t expect her to live past tomorrow — which would be today. it was like a slug in the stomach. she and i were great friends for years. we “talked” every day, did all the normal things real friends would do. then we had the chance to meet and spend a long weekend together. it was pleasant, but when i dropped her off at the airport, i was relieved. our friendship really cooled after that, until we pretty much lost touch. i haven’t talked to her in years, but i still feel a sense of loss somehow. i guess it is always comforting to know that people, whether you talk to them or not, are still out there.
wow…i read your profile and decided to come to your site bc you sounded interesting and true there are not many under-25 with xangas…well anyways, wow you are completely right…how many times have i been told i am going to hell for what i believe? how many times have i told someone that i care about that they are ignorent for supporting their president? just yesterday, i yelled at someone for being republican. wow, i really love that person and if it was the last thing i got to say to them i honestly dont know what i would do. thanx to your entry i am going to be more mindful that in the end it doesnt matter who you voted for but who you are and how you affected the people around you. wow. thank you
hannah
I dont think they are as important.
Differences should be celebrated.
How boring it would be if we all thought
the same way!
I am sorry for your loss. (((hugs))) I am praying for his family.
Dad.
I had no idea about David…I’m, well, I’m shocked to say the least. I know he was a marvelous boon to the personal environment of your (at one time our) workplace. Those distinctions, stupid political squabbles and interpersonal differences mean nothing when the barriers drop at the end of a life. If our little human brains could only encounter each and every person as an individual, I would hope we wouldn’t end up looking back across a vanished person to see regret.
I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. Your posts are great, do you mind if I subscribe?
My thoughts are with you….I’m so sorry you lost a friend…and SO suddenly!! How horrible. When I worked in the doctors office, I was probably the outcast there because I was like one of the few republicans! lol I don’t get into politics much at all so I got more aggravated when people would try to MAKE me believe in what they believed in. It doesn’t matter if we are political or not, democrat or republican, black or what, gay or straight…..it’s still hard to lose someone we were with day after day. You take care and my prayers are with his family.
How sad! I’m sure your friend the Democrat was a great guy. Please accept my condolences.
I’m so very sorry for the loss of your friend. It really makes a person stop and think.
Thank you for the story. It makes me stop and think how many issues that we think are big, really don’t matter in the end. Sorry about your friend.
I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. My prayers go out to his family and to all those that were close to him.