When the number on the cell phone doesn’t have a familiar name attached, I always let it go to voicemail. I figure if it’s important they’ll leave a voicemail. I suspect most people do the same. Today, however, I took a chance when the unrecognized number said it was from “Alabama.” My gamble paid off. On the other end of the line was my old, dear friend and co-worker HFNMI.
“NMI” stands for “No Middle Initial.” For as long as I have known him, he always signed his name with NMI. I’ve only seen or spoke to NMI once in the last 19 years. We exchanged Christmas cards for years. He would sign his “Merry Christmas HF NMI.” I would sign mine “Hope all is well with you and yours, War Eagle!” HFNMI is a lifelong Auburn Tiger Football fan.
One of my favorite stories (among many) of NMI was the day a tornado tore through his property, destroying an outbuilding. You may think that was the bad part of the story. But for NMI the bad part happened when the tornado took out his TV antenna and he called me to get a real time description of the Alabama/Auburn Iron Bowl game. He was far more upset by the Tide coming back to edge the Tigers than he was towards his property damage.
I can still hear his voice asking me what was happening. While I was relating the action, he said so matter of fact, “There goes the wall of the outbuilding.” I asked him if he should go assess the damage and he said, “I can’t do anything about it now, just let me know what’s going on at Legion Field.”
HFNMI was one of my first mentors. It didn’t matter I was his supervisor. He was always willing to teach and help me with his southern style, grace and experience. We worked together four short years over 40 years ago. I wrote about HFNMI in my book “Jewels in Your Crown – Mining the Treasures Within.” He was a sterling example of what it means to be a co-worker and a teammate.
HFNMI has always been a giving person. On our call he related some good fortune he had at a Mississippi Casino. He shared his winnings by tipping three people who were involved at his table. His buddy who was a recipient of HFNMI’s windfall said the player to his left was astonished by his generosity. He said the guy was as happy as if he had actually been the winner. That’s HFNMI.
We covered a great deal of ground during that phone call. Too many of our former co-workers have passed away or are in poor health. That includes HFNMI. He’s had health issues and is facing more. I told him I would certainly put him in my prayers.
As we closed the conversation, I asked him where those 40 years had gone, but neither of us could figure that out. Just life I guess. The beautiful part of the conversation was that we picked up right where we left off. It was as if time had stood still.
I guess that’s the beauty of a true friendship. No judgments. No critical questions, just a caring attitude and a pledge to stay in touch.
I know you all don’t know HFNMI, but as you say your prayers tonight, put him in there with the rest of your joys and concerns. He’s the kind of guy you’d want as your neighbor. I’m blessed to call him my friend.
Until next time…