the biggest ally.

hanging out with natalie til 5am
will keep your mind spinning for weeks.

the woman is lovely and feisty.
she makes things happen.
[and i dig it]

she has three children and a kickin’ husband
and they’re quite the baseball-park-family.
[and they like to wear plaid]

and for years, i spent every monday night with them.
eating dinner and raiding their pantry for cookies

and asking questions about
life and boats and school and fishing and boy-love.

and i swear
that her and marms tag-teamed me all those years.
with the same advice and perspective.

but every week
nat would let me question and process every detail outloud.
and then chuck would walk-thru and quantify my whole deal
in five minutes.

and the other night was catch-up night.
and she’s a strong woman. and she was

getting all funny-feisty.

and i heard chuck whisper
nat, i am your biggest ally.

[i can't help that i have sensitive ears.]

and
ohmywowsers!

that could just very-well-be
the bottom-lock-key to friendship.

not because an ally always think you’re right.
but because

an ally has got-your-back.
they’re on your side. it’s
the ultimate team player.

and they’re going to do whatever
pruning and encouraging and sharpening and loving
you need

in order to reach the unified future of victory
together.