Going Once, Twice, Sold to Richard

I started my professional career in Price, Utah, a rural community in the Southeastern  part of the state. I moved there in September of 1974, and I didn’t know a single person in that community when I moved there, but I quickly formed a friendship with a man from my church named Richard.


Richard was born and raised in this community. At the time I met him he had just graduated from BYU and returned home to start a photography business. He was well known and well liked, and we became friends who worked together on several projects.


His business was on Main Street, directly across from my office, and I frequently dropped in to visit when time allowed. For me, these visits were therapeutic. 


I lived in this community for five years until I took a new job with the Utah Department of Health in Salt Lake City. Richard and I maintained our friendship and would talk on the phone, and when I was in Price, I would drop by to visit with him.


A couple of years after I moved away, I was back in town on business and was invited to attend a fundraising auction sponsored by my old church community as part of their Christmas festivities. I decided to go and was excited to be there and visit old friends and reestablish my relationship with them.


I arrived a little late, and by the time I got there the auction had started. As I walked in the door a handmade quilt was being auctioned. The auctioneer had just said, “Two hundred. Who’ll bid $200.00? $200.00 for this beautiful quilt!”  At that moment Richard and I noticed each other, we made eye contact, and we both waved. 


The auctioneer caught my friend’s wave and announced, “Sold to Richard for $200.00”


I just laughed! Richard didn’t want the quilt and went into begging and pleading mode, trying to get the auctioneer’s attention and convince him there was a mistake. The more he begged and pleaded, the harder I laughed and tried to reassure him that it was for a good cause. Poor Richard was still trying to worm his way out of the bid when I finally walked away, grateful that the auctioneer caught him rather than me.


That night I realized that friendship is an important resiliency skill, especially when it is based on common interests, camaraderie, and humor. I’m glad we were both able to laugh and enjoy the moment. This was only one of many events that helped strengthen our bond of friendship.


Let’s encourage our children to find friends with whom they can safely be themselves and share a laugh at the crazy things that happen in life. We can help them understand that their real friends will be there to provide help when life gets challenging and laugh when laughter is needed. Good friends can help parents raise good children.


Happy Failing Forward Together,

Calvert


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