ode to friendship. and my friend.

After a two-and-a-half year hiatus that’s been filled with globe-trotting, normal-job-working, an attempt to grow me some serious dreds, and the longest cheez-it fast ever, I’ve finally landed back where I started (even before ihop) and my blogging sabbatical is officially over. To be cliche’ about it…Stumpy’s back. And better than ever.

I’d fill you in on all the details of where I’ve been and why I was there, but then you wouldn’t want to read the book I’m working on: ‘Where I’ve Been and Why I Was There.’ It’s slated for release in December 2012 – well, if the world doesn’t end like the Mayans and John Cusack are predicting. I know that seems like a long ways off…but patience is a virtue. And there will be a nationwide book signing tour.

So just a few tidbits to tide your over…
-You know how whenever you see someone dismount a camel on t.v. you think, “Man, I wonder if that’s as awkward and uncomfortable as it looks?” It is, in fact, as awkward and uncomfortable as it looks.
-A rodeo is by far the most exciting sporting event you could ever attend.
-Olive oil can be substituted for regular oil in any, I repeat, ANY recipe. A baking fiend of Italian descent informed me of this fact and fed me confectionary treats to prove it true. Yep. True.
-Prayer is difficult with or without a prayer room.

So now with all that said, permit me a few, more insightful words while I have your attention (aka – the actual point of this entry). The last few years have whirred by, regardless of where I’ve been or what I’ve been doing. I’ve realized that, no matter where I’ve ended up, I’m often learning the same lessons in the Lord and dealing with the same demons. (‘Demons’ here is metaphorical – you know, ‘issues’…’struggles’…’personal hang-ups’ – and not literal. While I appreciate the spiritual depth and understanding of this blog’s readership, I do find it somewhat comical that this is probably the only blog in the history of blogdom in which such a point would have to be clarified.) I’ve also realized that, no matter where I’ve found myself, my dearest friends have continued to be just as dear.

That’s right, Stil. I’m talking about you. I figured this was a pretty good time to give you, what they call in Cincinnati a ‘shout out,’ considering this is OUR blog. I know we’re all supposed to be growing in humility but just bear with me a moment or two while I put this puppet on a pedestal.

Stil is one of my bestest friends. Ernie had Bert. Lucy had Ethel. David had Jonathan. And I have Stil. Though many miles apart we may be, no one gets my ‘Stumpy-ness’ quite like Stil. And no one makes me laugh like this puppet does. And no one is up for antics like Stil either. I’m not just talking about crazy things like breaking a Tuesday fast with a bag of Doritos and a pizza. I’m talking things like para-sailing. Skeet shooting. And evangelizing on the Muppet Show. Can you imagine how that conversation went?

“Stil…we’re going to be LIVE. On TELEVISION.”
“I know, Stumpy. That’s exactly why we have to ask Miss Piggy if she has a personal relationship with Jesus.”
“Stil…they invited us here to do our Kenny-Chesney-a-capella-tap-dancing routine. That’s it.”
“Do you have your four spiritual laws tract in your cowboy hat?”

Ahh, the early days. And can we talk about that amazing hair? Stylin’ and profilin’. But the greatest thing about Stil is that I know I have a friend who will weather all of life’s storms with me. Perhaps a better way of putting it is, I know I have a friend who will weather well with me.

As more of my life on this side passes, the more I realize that being a grown-up is exhausting. And sometimes disappointing. And sometimes worse. And it really is from glory to glory we go. No faster than one day at a time. Which sometimes feels like the worst part of all. And learning all of this can be really, really hard and really, really lonely if you don’t have a few faithful puppets by your side. I know I have at least one and I am so thankful I do. I am so thankful for you.

And I want to take this moment at the beginning of a new season to remind you, Stilletto Stiltskin, just how much you mean to me. It is truly an honor to be a puppet by your side and I believe, whatever the storms, we will weather them well. We will weather them well, indeed.

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