That’s What Friends Are For…..

As a young girl life was carefree. I ran barefoot up and down The Lane catching sunbeams in a jar, climbing grandma’s apple trees, and falling asleep on lazy days under the willow tree. I was completely unaware where life’s road would lead me. The fickle finger of fate had written that I did not know my soulmate, Russ Higgins yet!
Russ, lived with his grandparents on Manchester Street just down the road in the city limits of Barbourville. Russ was all boy, full of energy and a zest for adventure. He did things that boys like to do! He was discovering things that boys want to know! Russ was exploring trails, camping out under the stars, listening to the night sounds like the melodic chirping of the crickets on Samson Hill. Other times he was listening to the piping of frogs, when he wasn’t disturbing them skipping rocks on the water of the Brickyard Pond.
Russ tells me his favorite books to read were: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Treasure Island, and Boys Stories of Great Men. In those days of youth he had many neighborhood friends. However one that remained a lifelong friend was Bob Jarvis. Russ and Bob both wound up living in Louisville. Over the years they reminisced about the good old days. I listened to many versions of tall tales told by them. Stories about times spent fishing, camping, building rabbit hutches, and many more things that they did together growing up in Barbourville. I would like to share one experience that stands out above all the rest!
Gentleman readers may relate to this adventure, in one way or another. Russ’ adventure started early one morning like a Tom Sawyer experience. Bob and Russ decided that fishing in the bend of the river behind Hoot Owl Taylor’s old home place would be better than their usual fishing hole in the back of the Brickyard Pond. Hopes were high as they talked of catching the biggest catfish in the Cumberland River! The pair was equipped with store-bought reels and rods a guaranteed success for catching more fish than a plain old cane pole with a hook, line and sinker. Off they went…. the young fishermen had few bites with their new choice of the Cumberland River fishing spot.
They decided to change bait to see if it improved their luck. Little did they know they were in for an unexpected surprise catch of the day, a dilemma!
Russ was changing the bait on his rod when Bob decided to move a little on down the riverbank. In doing so he tripped on the Russ’ rod. Russ was hooked solid in his thumb all the way to the bone!! Try as they might the two could not release the hook! Things looked grim Russ was in pain. Bob was in a different kind of pain… hurting for his friend. Bob convinced Russ he needed medical help. They started the walk to the Barbourville Hospital emergency room. Dr Clifton, and nurse Carolyn Pud Foley were on duty. Dr Clifton looked the hook in the thumb. He described to nurse Foley how he planned to cut the hook out. Doc Clifton told her to prepare a tetanus shot for Russ afterwards. The doctor left the room for what he needed. Russ jumped off the table, ran out the door calling to Bob. Come on let’s get out of here!
Bob being a good friend followed pleading with Russ that something had to be done to get the hook out of his thumb. The two talked it over again. Bob convincing Russ to go to Dr Messer’s office. This was located off the Court Square next to Everett Hutton’s shoe shop. Dr Messer listened to their story of how their promising day of fishing came to such a sorry, painful end. The boys described to him what happened at the hospital. Dr. Messer calmly listened as he examined the hooked thumb. Before the two of them knew what was happening the doctor punched the hook on through the thumb, cut the barb off and pulled it out! FAST as a blink of an eye. As he cleaned the thumb he mentioned to Russ that he needed a tetanus shot. The dreaded words were heard again tetanus shot. Dr. Messer turned to prepare the shot. Once again Russ jumped down off the table, and was out the door! He left poor Bob to explain that his friend did not like shots….. but, that’s what friends are for!
Life came full circle for these two men from the days of childhood. They had a rare and treasured gift of a lifelong friendship. Through life they had many conversations, reminiscing about their escapades growing up in Knox County.
These fellas were blessed to be close enough to share memories in their Golden Years. Unfortunately, Bob passed away during COVID.
I will close with special thoughts on a friendship. To have a friend you must be a friend, a true friend is one who knows you as you are, understands where you’ve been, accepts who you have become and still invites you to grow. This is dedicated to Bob and Donna Jarvis who have been true friends and a blessing in our life.