Blog post by Jeff Hampton
When our Wilshire friend George Gagliardi fell ill and landed in the hospital, it wasn’t a surprise to see his large family of musicians and vocalists start to show up in growing numbers at his bedside. And then they organized themselves with online information groups and schedules as to when different ones would stay with him, what he needed and wanted and who would get it and just generally be there for him.
As we met different people in person or online, some would say, “I’ve known George for ___ years.” It’s as if there was a need to claim ownership of George’s friendship; it almost felt competitive in a friendly kind of way. There’s nothing wrong with that, because George’s friendship is well worth claiming and boasting about.
But the truth is people who know George know he doesn’t count the years he has known you; he doesn’t organize and prioritize his friends that way. He considers you a “pal” and calls you that whether he’s known you 50 years or just five days. What seems to matter most to him is the quality of the relationship and the common bonds, whether it’s music in all its genres and styles, faith, model railroads, crossword and jigsaw puzzles or talking about any of those or other areas of common interest over a meal — a “chat and chew” as he calls it.
I don’t know where or how George developed that way of living, but there’s something very Christ-like about treating people that way, where all are equal and all are worthy of relationship, friendship and fellowship.
I don’t know how long I’ve known George, and I don’t recall exactly how we first met. I think it might have been through his pal Conrad, who I first got to know on Sundays at Wilshire. I would be in the Narthex preparing for the morning’s offering, and Conrad would walk through on his way to the balcony to run the church’s nascent video ministry. Conrad first met George in Los Angeles. They became pals in George’s special way and Conrad followed him back to Dallas and into the Christian faith. Talk about Christ-like living!
George has a long way to go in his recovery, but he isn’t alone on the journey. He’s surrounded by friends and pals who have been by his side all these many years — or maybe just a few days.