Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Friends

As I said in my last post, I'm only beginning to think about commencing in getting started with thinking about the possibilities of dating, or something. Not desperate. Yet. And there is a very important sustaining element in my life, and that is friends.

I have been very blessed with some great friends. Most of them are partnered (and happily so), but they have invited me to go bowling, over for dinner, out for a movie, etc. I have not really suffered from lack of contact with some well-settled, (more or less) normal gay folk.
Also, there is a monthly gathering of gay men exploring their spiritual sides. I am a (more or less) orthodox Christian (except when I'm not) but very open to the spiritual explorations of others. This has been a great group to be a part of.
Blog friends (hey there, y'all) have been supportive and helpful through comments and in corresponding (I'm always happy to hear from folk). This sustaining group of people has brought some real joy and challenge and delight into my life.
Thank you, one and all.

20 comments:

Ultra Dave said...

Feel free to email me anytime.

RG said...

Give us an email love.

Anonymous said...

Not sure why but when I read " normal gay folk " it made me laugh! Probably because so far the "gay folk" I have met during this past year seem more normal to me than most.

Just thought I would say I appreciate your comments and encouragement. I bet when you do start dating you are going to have a buffet of choices. ;-)

cb said...

The "being single amid all your partnered gay friends" will wear on you after awhile. Trust me.

Java said...

You sound so decisive about that dating thing, Joe.

Friends are worth more than all the precious jewels in the world.

Lemuel said...

We delight in counting you a part of our world!

Ross said...

Glad to be counted among your friends.

Unknown said...

I say THANK YOU! Tell me more about the gay group exploring the spiriutal side of things. i wonder if there is a group in my area?

BentonQuest said...

I think someone said something to the effect that one is truly rich not by the money one has but by the friends one has.

Anonymous said...

Excellent picture! And the "gay spirituality" group sounds interesting. Could you elaborate on "I am a (more or less) orthodox Christian (except when I'm not)"?

Friendship is probably my fave subject. I find it sacred. The thing is, I've had way too many one-year or two-year friendships. That's why I'm craving something stable, something that would last, preferably to the grave. Anyway, I find your friendship extremely precious, beyond words. All I can say is thank you. Your friendship is healing.

Anonymous said...

You're a good man Joe. Keep tossing those pebbles out there to stir the ripples in the water. And just when you least expect it someone will walk into your life.

Anonymous said...

One can never have enough friends. I think spending more time with these friends will open up the opportunities you are looking for. I love that Steve Walker painting, btw.

Ur-spo said...

thank you too for sharing your life with us.

manxxman said...

What a wonder thought. It is lonely but there are people out there for you that care very much about your life.

Birdie said...

Your circle of friends is growing. Keep yourself open as you have been here. There is risk in making yourself vulnerable, but the payoff is huge when you finally connect, in friendship or more.

I'm starting to make plans for NC in August. Don't know exactly when we'll be there yet, but I'm hoping you'll be free for a visit when I'm there.

David said...

Thank for being there for others of us as well! Blessing given and received.

John said...

Be ready for surprises!

elaygee said...

While you're at it, recovering and all, you might want to add religion as an addiction to quit. All the bad internal messages you got about being gay came from there.
Maybe its time to let your superstitions go by the wayside too.

Unknown said...

Just wanted to respond to elaygee if I may. Religion has always been a problem in many ways. However, spirituality and religion are two different things, the spirituality of which I speak comes out of a personal relationship with a loving God through Jesus Christ. Bad internal messages came from socieity as a whole as well as religious dogma.

Greg said...

"I'm only beginning to think about commencing in getting started with thinking about the possibilities of dating, or something."

Ha ha. I love this. And I can totally relate. May the Force be with you.

I like what Neil said about friendships being sacred. They are, aren't they?