South Fork

This week I went to visit a friend up on the South Fork of the Payette.

He worked for one of those relief agencies that we occasionally hear about. For years they would send him to every erupting hell hole in the world. He was one of the first on the ground. He was big and strong, a picture of strength.

But that kind of thing takes a silent toll. It destroyed my friend. He is like a soldier who came back from too many horrific battles. He saw too much, he heard too much. It was really tough on his brain.

He is still tall and strong and smiles wonderfully.

Our friendship goes back over 40 years. His wife says I am one of the few he will talk to, so I  was glad to see him again. He introduced me to some of his friends, who are real characters. That was good too. 

We had a good time together, as we always do.