“There Is A Friend Who Sticks Closer Than A Brother”

This past week a very close friend of 45 years passed away while I was by his side. Joe Bianco was the editor of Northwest Magazine a Sunday supplement of feature stories for The Oregonian. Joe and I have gone through a lot of troubled waters and many good times together.
Like close relationships irrespective of the circumstances we both supported and encouraged one another.
If you are fortunate enough to have a close friend who stays by your side no matter what the circumstances, you have found gold. Rudyard Kipling, I believe, encapsulated it best in his poem.
This is dedicated to you, Joe, ‘til we meet again.

The Thousandth Man
One man in a thousand, Solomon says,
Will stick more close than a brother.
And it’s worth while seeking him half your days
If you find him before the other.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend
On what the world sees in you,
But the Thousandth Man will stand your friend
With the whole round world agin you.
‘Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show
Will settle the finding for ‘ee.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of ‘em go
By your looks, or your acts, or your glory.
But if he finds you and you find him,
The rest of the world don’t matter;
For the thousandth Man will sink or swim
With you in any water.
You can use his purse with no more talk
Than he uses yours for his spendings,
And laugh and meet in your daily walk
As though there had been no lendings.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of ‘em call
For silver and gold in their dealings;
But the Thousandth Man he’s worth ‘em all
Because you can show him your feelings.
His wrong’s your wrong, and his right’s your right,
In season or out of season.
Stand up and back it in all men’s sight
With that for the only reason!
Nine hundred and ninety-nine can’t bide
The shame or mocking or laughter
But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side
To the gallows-foot- and after.