Jerry Timms

Several years ago I don’t think I could have written any of this, and so I’m starting to realize what it’s like to get old. I’m a nagger. Sometimes more than others as my friends can attest. But, I do often find myself nagging people about making prudent decisions.

I’m well read, and have always had an uncanny ability to absorb information from encyclopedias and, more recently, Wikipedia. I’m also getting – ahem! – along in my years, and so inevitably I’m building up an ever-growing cache of life experience (translation: I’m old enough to have made a lot of bad choices).

Yes, I’m still “feeling the love.” But being rather content with that concept lately, I’ve changed my focus to friendship. And the reasons why friendships develop, are strained, or end.

I have a lot of friends who make really bad choices, almost on a daily basis it seems. But I have come to realize that sometimes, to be a friend, you have to let that friend make bad decisions and not persecute them for it.

However, that doesn’t mean I have to keep my mouth shut. If I have some bit of advice or wisdom to share, I’m going to. Not only that, but I do think we have some responsibility as friends to do so. The rub is when advice turns into preaching, into resentment, and into disappointment.

Some of you are a lost cause when it comes to some things, and regretfully there are several of you that will have to fall pretty hard before you change your ways. But I’ve said some things, you’ve listened. Life goes on, and I don’t expect any of my friends to be perfect.