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Last month while having dinner with friends, Tracey mentioned that I needed to go to Durham. Immediately, Val and Franny Johnson volunteered to drive us up there.

Wednesday morning came and we were off to Durham. Tracey drove us to their house, and we were off. Tracey, Val, Franny and I were off to Durham at 8:30 AM. We were to meet my son Will up there. Will knows his way around Durham because he went to school at Duke, and he lives there.

We made a day of it after I had my appointment at Duke. We had lunch at Louie’s then the girls went shopping at various places. After shopping at Home Goods and the like, we headed to Trader’s Joe’s. Traders Joe’s had what we needed, and we headed back home.

Later that week, Bobby and Brenda Hardy invited us out to eat. I tell you these things because I want to tell you how good people are in Washington. The meal we had that night was on Bobby. They had been doing some traveling so it was high time we got together to catch up.

Friday night we had dinner plans with Terry and Connie Smithwick, Val, Franny, Bobby and Brenda and of course Tracey! I could not wait to see Connie; she was a speech therapist before she retired. I told her that I was seeing a speech therapist, and she gave me some valuable advice. Terry had gotten me a pair of sunglasses that I had admired of his. He’s always been my buddy.

I tell you all these things because they are some of best friends and former classmates. They were valuable friends of mine during high school days. They are still some of my very best friends and will always remain my best friends! Who said Washington didn’t have good people? I’d argue with them about this group of six…. Sometimes when you’re going through something, it takes a village, and these people stepped up and I’m proud to call them my village and my friends. And I thank them for everything.

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

Harold Jr.