People you need to know

I've been thinking about some of the people I know...people who you would pass on the street and not even notice, but people who are most amazing because of their lives. What I would like to do is talk about some of these people. These amazing people are the jewels in our lives that we often take for granted. They are the friends, relatives, neighbors who are most amazing if you took the time to know them.

The first in our series is a man I have known for 56 years. As I write that it sounds strange, but this guy is one of the good guys on planet earth. He's living a difficult life well and has the best sense of humor of anyone I know. I think he got it from his grandfather who was the ultimate practical joker. This man has his own business and has used his business to take care of a number of people. His son works for him now and will probably take over the business someday. It's blue collar work....sometimes brown collar work, but good work either way. He's a plumber. He tried college, but it just wasn't for him, so he found an old plumber and apprenticed with him. Ultimately he bought the man's business. He's worked in the same, small Iowa town for many decades and loves it. He has friendships that are more than 35 years old. He's one of the really great men on planet earth. He isn't looking for fame. He doesn't try to get rich. He always has time for you if you need to talk. Men like this are rare. There's much more to say, but what I want to close with is this- don't overlook the people in your life. For all they go through, all they have struggled with, most have come through life's struggles with a strength and resilience that would amaze you. Take some time to really talk to those around you. There are amazing people everywhere just waiting to be discovered. I just wanted to introduce you to one of them. This is my brother, Mitch.