Recently, while visiting Powder Horn Mountain (Terry and Connie Smithwick’s), I had a chance to experience what really makes Washington the best place in the universe to be raised. Sometimes we do not stop to appreciate the one thing we all were provided in our town, and that was the opportunity to meet and make friends. This allowed my wife and me a chance to renew our friendships and bonds with the Hardys, Nolleys and Smithwicks. Bobby, Bill, Terry, Brenda, Connie and I have known each other since childhood and throughout high school. My wife (Tracey) and Jean came later, but they have been embraced by the others.

We had no real plans going up to the mountains except doing individually what we wanted to do and celebrating the New Year together. The ladies prepared meals each day but on New Year’s Eve we all went to dinner together. We sat around and shared memories, took walks or watched the many college football games on television. We told stories that we never knew existed, but it seems like the older we get, the bigger the stories have gotten. I am sure they were stretched a little, but it was fine.

We remembered stories of our childhood and discussed how we needed to refresh our friendships more often. Even though our friendships have passed the test of time, we do not see one another as much as we should. We agreed that moving forward we would get together more often. Our New Year’s resolution was to not let it be so long to visit each other and to strengthen our bond of friendship that we were so fortunate to share.

Every one of us has all been blessed in many ways, and it is my hope that my readers will take some time to strengthen and renew their friendships. Our town provided us the opportunity to make everlasting friends, regardless of age. This is something that we should not ever take for granted. I have found out that when you need someone in your foxhole, it will be the friends you grew up with that you will choose. I love my friends, and I was fortunate to have grown up in a time when standing as a class on the steps of John Small School in our jeans and shirts, having our class pictures taken was truly a moment in time that I can never relive. They were best friends then, and now, and I love each and everyone one of them still!

Thanks to Terry and Connie for sharing their home for a time none of us will ever forget. I hope all of us have learned a valuable lesson about the importance of friendship. As Terry said, “You realize as you get older, that time is more important than money.” Time with friends is very important! We all should believe and cherish those times.

The best of times with the best of friends and in the best of places — Washington, N.C.

— Harold Jr.

Harold Robinson Jr. is a native of Washington.