Thank you for being a friend.
Those words are the name of a hit song recorded by Andrew Gold in 1978. Those of you familiar with the song likely know it because of the cover by Cynthia Fee that was the theme song of the NBC sitcom “The Golden Girls.” In fact, you are likely singing along now.
But what exactly does it mean to be a friend? I recently heard Father Ray Higgins offer a version of the following story as part of his sermon. I had not heard the story before, and I was touched so much by it that I wanted to pass it along to each of you. Here it is.
Two soldiers were great friends. One evening, one soldier comes back to the trench but finds that his friend had not returned. Many soldiers had been killed on the front. He became worried that his friend was one of them.
He asked about his friend, and another soldier said, “We don’t know if he was killed, but he was wounded so badly it was impossible for him to come to the trench. By now, he must be dead.”
The day was turning to night, and the enemy was still firing madly, but the soldier wanted to search for his friend.
His commanding officer said, “No, that would be foolish,” but he disregarded his officer and left the trench. It was dark, and there were thousands of corpses all around. He searched diligently, and in the middle of the night, he returned — dragging his friend’s dead body on his back. He, himself, was now mortally wounded and could not survive.
His commanding officer approached him and said, “I told you not to be foolish! It was not worth it. Your friend is dead, and you are dying!”
The dying man opened his eyes and said, “But it was worth it — because when I went there, he looked at me and said, ‘I knew you would come.’ ”
If that story doesn’t make you think about how much you are willing to do for a friend, then I don’t know what will.
Have a thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
View Shane Goodman's archived columns from past issues here. |
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| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | CITYVIEW announced its 2023 Best Of Des Moines® readers' choices Jan. 31. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!
Best local place to worship
1. Lutheran Church of HOPE
2. New Hope Assembly of God
3. Holy Trinity Catholic Church
SEE BEST OF DES MOINES® EVENT PHOTOS HERE... | | | Read More |
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Your Clear Mortgage forecast
We've got a gorgeous stretch of weather ahead before rain chances ramp up late Sunday into Monday. Temperatures cool into the 70s to start the next week.
For help with preapprovals or refinancing, get in touch with Carrie at carrie.mortgage. |
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| Featured home for sale | | | |
$350,000
32487 K Ave.
Adel, IA 50003
Imagine stepping into your very own slice of paradise nestled on a generous .75-acre plot just southwest of Adel. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised as you explore this unique A-frame-style abode. The first-floor owners' suite addition welcomes you with its private bath and sliding doors that lead to a beautiful new deck added in 2023.
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
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Des Moines Community Playhouse. “Once,” the award-winning Broadway musical about a guy who gave up on music and the girl who inspired him to dream again. Sept. 8-24.
Touchdown Tailgate. Proving that Des Moines Performing Arts is much more than fantastic live stage performances, come down to Cowles Commons on Saturday, Sept. 9, to see the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game on two Jumbotron TVs. Ricochet Bar will be serving cold beverages and four local food truck vendors will be on hand: General Lee's Smoke Shack, Lacheles Battle Bus, 2nd Avenue Sandwiches, and Sweet Swirls Ice Cream. Music and entertainment all day long. Game time is 2:30 p.m. Wear your school colors and bring your chairs for a one-of-a-kind viewing party (no coolers or outside food please). Free admission. All ages welcome.
John Busbee, The Culture Buzz |
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Tropical storm Hillary destroyed 35% of this year's table grape crop in California. It is the smallest harvest in more than 30 years. Grapes will become more expensive.
Friday's Fox & Friends will broadcast live from Machine Shed (11151 Hickman in Urbandale). Vivek Ramaswamy will be there.
Thursday brings Front Row (9956 Swanson Blvd., Clive) prime steak night. Steak dinners with salad bar, baked potato and grilled onions and mushrooms are $15, pork chop dinners are $13.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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FROM KCCI: Indira Sheumaker resigns from Des Moines City Council
DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines City Councilmember Indira Sheumaker has resigned from her position, the city announced Wednesday. According to a release, Randy Sheumaker, Indira Sheumaker's father, hand-delivered her resignation letter to the city clerk's office... READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: Des Moines man arrested after allegedly biting Polk County Sheriff’s deputy, sergeant
DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines man was arrested Tuesday night after he allegedly bit a Polk County Sheriff’s deputy and a sergeant in August. Richard Lee Crawford, 42, was booked into the Polk County Jail Tuesday night on several warrants that were issued after he allegedly assaulted two deputies and a sergeant in late August... READ MORE FROM WHO-TV
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Iowa DNR issues Air Quality Warning through Friday at noon
A cold front brought in cooler temperatures across central Iowa, but with it came another burst of smoke from Canadian wildfires. ...READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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| Weekly Fuel Report | | | The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 2 cents, averaging $3.58 across Iowa according to AAA. The national average on Wednesday was $3.80, down 3 cents from last week’s price.
Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 1 cent this week with a statewide average of $4.26. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.93 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 19 cents less than the national average of $4.45.
Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
Natural gas prices fell 21 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.53/MMbtu. We will continue reporting retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa in September.
Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.
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Public invited to hear ISU athletic director
Confused about the realignment of college conferences? Curious about the impact of Name Image and Likeness (NIL)? Wondering about the status of the CyTown Venue? Then you need to be here. Johnston Rotary Club is pleased to present
Jamie Pollard, ISU Athletic Director, at 7 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 26, at Hyperion Field Club, 7390 N.W. Beaver Drive, Johnston. Breakfast will be provided. If you would like to attend, contact either Brook Skram, bskram@welgaardcpa.com, or Ty Wies, Ty.Weis@comchoicecu.org, to reserve your spot. |
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| Birthdays and notables! | | | Happy Birthday to Brent Antisdel and Pat Checketts!
These celebrities were born on this date: Evan Rachel Wood, Leslie Jones, Gloria Gaynor, Chrissie Hynde, Corbin Bernsen, Michael Feinstein, Leslie Jones, Kevin Love, Ian Chen, Wes Willis, Chad Sexton
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
What is a cucumber’s favorite instrument? A PICKLE-O (PICCALO)! - Mike Chiston, Brent Antisdel, Gail Tomlinson, Lori Bluml, Carolyn Rogers' husband, Gary Winter, S. Hill Watkins, Kris Laurson, Brent Hoover, Rex Post.
Today's riddle
What does a donkey do when you tell him a joke?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in this daily newsletter, contact Jolene Goodman at jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com, or call 515-953-4822 ext. 319.
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www.biggreenumbrellamedia.com. Add webmaster@dmcityview.com to your address book to ensure delivery. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Click here to get it delivered to your inbox for FREE! |
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