4/27/25-You've Got a Bad Friend In Me

If you haven't seen Toy Story, you totally should.  Its almost 30 years old now and still holds up as one of the best movies I have ever seen.

But this is not going to be a review of a movie from a movie that came out in the 1990's.

The theme song from the movie was by Randy Newman (I think this is my second post inspired by him...hopefully he doesn't expect royalties from me using him as an influence for my writings) called "You Got a Friend in Me."

I have had many friends over the years.  I have had people who have helped me through tough times.  Friends who I could talk to.  Friends who truly understood me.

And, looking back, it occurs to me I'm probably the worst friend to have.  Because I have never made the effort to maintain friendships.  Today, at 53, I don't think I can say I have close friend.  And that's my fault.  I'm a bad friend.

I tend to close the book on parts of my life once they are over.  I have moved on from childhood, school, the Navy.  And when I move on, I forget about the ones who were really important in getting me through those times.  And that's just not right.

Even today, people I work with have invited me to do things on weekends.  And I seem to always have an excuse to not be a friend and take them up on their offer.  Old friends have been visiting the area.  If I was a better friend I would have seen those times as an opportunity to rekindle our relationship.  But bad friends like me always find a reason to not make the effort.

If I was a better friend I might even make the effort to see those people myself.  I could drive to Orange County.  I could fly to Pennsylvania.  But I am such a bad friend I can't even find the time to call an old friend who might live a few miles away and see if they want to catch up.

I'm not going to mention all the friends here, because I don't want to risk forgetting anyone.  But I do want to say to all of you out there I do miss you all.  Thank you for your friendship.  And most of all I'm sorry for not keeping in touch and letting that relationship die.

Rest assured I do consider you all my friends still, even if you are stuck with a "Bad Friend in Me."