2nd Place Humor
FOREVER FISHNG FRIENDSHIP
By
Kenneth J. Bicha
As Joyce and I strolled aimlessly around the deck of the MS Maasdam cruise ship while we island hopped in the Caribbean, we passed by a couple (we will call them Paul and Cheryl… ‘cause that is really their names). We said “hello” as we made eye contact with them. We were taken back when Cheryl asked if I was a Vietnam Vet. She had noticed my shirt which displayed an older gent leaning against the wall as his buddies, who were in full combat gear, were peering from inside the wall. Our conversation played out kind of like a first date with questions and answers on a superficial level such as when were you in country, what branch of service were you in, what was your MOS, where do you live now, and so on. As the days passed, the conversations and deeper sharing formed the foundation of a friendship that we all wanted to continue and to build on. Hence, we exchanged addresses and phone contact information. Since we don’t have a computer or smart phone, we have depended on snail mail to keep in touch, exchanging cards and letters on holidays, birthdays, and patriotic days.
Over the years we have planned three opportunities to see each other for week long visits. They came by rail (on their bucket list) to the Seattle area. We showed them underground Seattle, had a memorable dinner at the Space Needle, and enjoyed a short drive to the Mt St Helens Visitor Center. When we visited Pure Michigan, they shard several interesting adventures including Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, Lake Michigan, and one of their “ski hills”. We also attended a comedy show where we matched wits with the comedian…and won! When we enjoyed our third get together, we met in Montana where we saw and toured the Our Lady of the Rockies Sculpture and a huge open pit copper mine. In Virginia City we walked the streets of the wild west and attended a Vaudeville Show. One day Paul, my brother Jerry and I went fishing in a river that was a favorite family destination. They caught their limits… I didn’t.
As we correspond, Paul and I constantly recall that trip with newspaper and computer fishing jokes which we personalize. We sent Paul a “fishy” birthday card in 2020. Joyce and I had a whale of a time writing a birthday greeting that would enhance the card. It had seven fish swimming along sporting noise makers and party hats. It said, “Holy Carp! It’s your Birthday.” Inside it read, “hope it’s a bass load of fun!” Our contribution was as follows: Happy Birthday Paul!! We hope that you don’t have a carpy day. Just sit on your perch and don’t flounder around! Don’t pout if you don’t catch any trout… brookie or rainbow. Don’t even cut your throat if you don’t catch an octopus or squid. You have to get off of your smelty, brown bass if you want to catch something larger than a blue gill or a herring. You cod catch a pike or a walleye if you fish just for the halibut. Salmon once said “I’d give my sole to catch a tuna!”
We hope that you have enjoyed a glimpse into our forever fishing friendship… there is nothing fishy about the bond that Paul and I enjoy as brothers in arms! It is truly trout-standing!