A Touching Note from Friar Tuck

Mike heard from another old friend, just yesterday, Martin Williams. He was just "Marty" to Mike, or "Fry" due to his diminutive size at the time compared with Mike and his brother Dave's size... or "Friar Tuck", which was "Fry" in its expanded form we'd decided... or "Pilliams Fry", which was an oleo of nickname take-offs.

He had been a neighbor of Mike's family when they lived on Van Curler Avenue in Schenectady during the period 1972-1977. A tow-headed, hyperactive bundle of energy that bounced around like a jumping bean and always seemed to be smiling, Marty was a best pal, bike riding and tree climbing friend and co-conspirator when we plotted water balloon attacks against a neighboring street. He and Mike had lost touch over the years due to geography, job pursuits and family responsibilities but there remained a connection between them that would not be severed. Their conversations were never serious, so Mike never really had a sense about Marty's deeper thoughts... until receiving his recent email:

You must remember all those letters you and Dave used to write me, with your neat, even script, from margin to margin, complete with small caricatures and doodles?

Your creativity, humor and joy were always an inspiration to me. I copied your style and still tend to write in that same block lettering.

Once a writer, always a writer.

"I am that I am"

Pilliams Fry

Funny how you think you know a person but, often, it's just the public shell that you know. When you peel away the shell, get to the core of the person and discover what's inside, that's when you can truly say you know someone. For Mike, this revelation from an old childhood friend was truly touching and confirmed that their friendship was a sincere one based on mutual respect and genuine fondness for each other's company.

"Thanks Pilliams Fry for the good times and memories. I will cherish them." - Mike