I felt a little down about myself over my less-than-truly-inspirational attempt at artistic expression. I was also despondent with the idea that I didn’t have any close friends. I just wanted to drown my sorrows in a beer glass. So, I headed for the White Horse Saloon in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The year was 1991.

I walked in and stepped up to the bar. I sat down between two rough-looking gents and ordered a glass of Zapmeister. I wore a broad-brimmed Mexican-style cowboy hat, instead of my helmet, which I had left in the Vette. I tied the cowboy hat around my chin with the broad-brimmed hat’s elastic drawstring. In addition, I had a black bandanna wrapped around my neck. My suit of armor was dirty and scuffed. All in all, I was trying my best to fit in with the bar’s red-necked, country clientele.

A half-drunk, loud-mouthed dude on my left began to harass me. “It looks like this hombre has been living on the road,” the stranger said, speaking to a friend who was sitting on the other side of me.

“Yeah, and his breath is as hard as kerosene!” the drunk to my right said, with a distinct cackle in his voice. “I wonder if his horse is as fast as polished steel?”

I didn’t reply to their intended-to-be-laughed-at, sarcastic comments. I just lowered my head and stared into my cold mug of Zapmeister.

Although I didn’t recognize them, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard were sitting, side by side, a few seats down from me at the bar. Willie overheard both cowboys’ rude remarks. Willie sympathized with me, but he kept quiet as he didn’t want to start any trouble.

“I’m depressed, and I’m growing old,” I softly muttered to myself. “I can’t seem to make new friends, even in a bar. Lord, how will my story end? Would you help me find a new friend?”

God came up from behind me. She tapped me on my right shoulder. When I turned around, She said, “Wantsalittle, the formula for friendship—making friends and keeping them—is as follows: First, you must sincerely like yourself, and become your own best friend. Once you do, others will be attracted to you, as well. Next, you must understand that people want to be recognized and appreciated for who they already are, individually.”

“What is your definition of ‘friendship,’ Lord?”

“A true friend is someone who knows all about you and who still likes and respects you. Emerson said, ‘Our chief want in life is someone who shall make us do what we can.’ A real friend is that person who stands by your side, through both thick and thin. He or she always mentally supports you and encourages you to become the very best that you can be. Before I leave, let me add: As you think and act out of genuine concern for others, you will likely have that number of good friends. Wantsalittle, try to offer others your support and encouragement.” Then, God disappeared.

I wandered out of the bar and sat on the hood of the Corvette. I felt so dejected and disconsolate about my being friendless that my head nearly drooped into my lap.

Meanwhile, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard had left the bar, as well. Merle had already taken off. Willie walked up to his Harley, which was parked in front of the Vette. When Willie got on his bike, he turned to me. “Hey, Poncho, what’s your name?”

“My name’s Wantsalittle . . . Sir Wantsalittle Morefromlife.”

“Sir Wantsalittle, it looks as though you could use a friend. Do you want to go for a ride on my mean machine?” I perked up a bit, nodded my head in an affirmative motion, and climbed on the back end of the Harley.

“My name is Willie Nelson. Some of my friends call me ‘Lefty.’” We sped away on the bike. I hung on for dear life; I wrapped both of my hands around the front of Lefty’s dark-blue vest. My ivory-white cowboy hat flew off my head, but it was still tied around my neck. Harmlessly, the hat flopped to and fro in the steady wind.

With a wide smile, I said, “It’s really nice to meet you, Sir Lefty!”

Willie “Lefty” Nelson sang, “On the road again . . .”

(The moral of this episode: As you think and act out of genuine concern for others, you will likely have that number of good friends!)

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