Friendships, like many things in life, need to be refilled and recharged from time to time. I am fortunate to have many friends that I consider “best friends”. As kids, where you were only allowed ONE best friend, and if you found a new “best friend,” you would sadly have to omit the previous one. Thankfully, that is not the case as we get older and discover the truth. My buddy, CJ, explained, there can be best friends in categories, based on the connections and bonds between them, therefore they still can be of “best friend” status. CGC are the initials that made up the investment group partnership formed by me (Chris), Glyndon, and CJ. Three best friends going way back many years to our shared home town Lufkin, Texas. That investment group was quite a temporary “investment,” but I have no regrets jumping into an adventure, no matter the outcome. These are also the same guys that went with me to a near death experience, in Colorado, as we attempted a three day hike when a winter blizzard suddenly rolled in. “We made it,” was all we can say about that trip! Glyndon did an amazing job documenting that adventure in this video, though the video focused on the friendship we all share, more than the near death experience we encountered. That trip was in 2017, and we were due for another adventure together. BUT, we all agreed maybe one that was not so life-risking.
After looking at the calendar and travel options, we decided to meet at CJ’s new family farm in Pittsburgh, PA in September of 2021. These plans fell together so well, as we planned to spend a few days at CJ’s place in the country, and then the last two nights in the city. The abundance of down time was just what we needed to catch up, and share deeply of the ups, downs, and curveballs that life throws at us. We are all married with kids, creative in nature, love God, from the same hometown, and dream, a lot. Being similar, but still very different, is a great way to learn, grow and encourage one another as we continue forward in life. Knowing these guys over time is cool, because we all had directions we launched, had many turns and pivots along that way, all which led us to where we stand today. I am not going to get into “living a life with no regrets” thought, but its great to have friendships that stand through the seasons, and are an encouragement, as you have to make tough moves in life. The plan we start out with may not be the destination we envisioned, but at least that is what got us out the door!
So back to these guys. Making the time to get together, share old memories, catch up on the current life events, and most importantly, make some new memories, is priceless. The CGC friendship is one that needs to be refilled and recharged. Our time in Pittsburgh was just what we needed to do that. This trip was not an over-the-top adventure, or a risky business opportunity. This trip was simply time together, sharing, dreaming, encouraging, eating, and exploring the city.
Without the rush of our daily routines, and in a “nowhere-to-be” environment, we could really unwind for a bit. With our CGC tank refilled, we are excited for another one, in the upcoming year. In the next twelve months, there will be steps to take as we lead out families forward, create things to pursue our passions, and fears to overcome. When we need one another, there’s a simple call to make.
You know you have a best friend when you can go so long without seeing each other in person, and then pick right back up, like it was yesterday. This makes the goodbye easier, because we know we will just pick right back up, where we left off. Until our next CGC meetup, you guys take care!
My Spill 