Journal

The real Ford

John foord was Irish
but he didnt play for the fighting Irish

Admiral Ford
Was bit as weak as a real ford

His movies proved to be a load
They said he was no toed

Influenced directors like tarintino
and maybe actors like pachino

He directed movies like grapes of wrath
Draping a path of awards

Admiral ford made eastwood
Look like he wasnt from the hood

he could make any actor
Become a factor





Friendship
There are many themes that resonate in Holding On but few encompass the value of friendship. We rarely fathom the importance of friendship because many acts go unnoticed, but as these stories explain how friendship can benefit one’s life immensely. The stories that capture this value the most are the stories of “Steam Train Maury Graham” and “Jim Searles.” Both document how companionship can lead to an easier upbringing and how friends can make sacrifices for each other’s well being. They also equally provide readers with the true definition of friendship which many have seemed to have lost track of. Although Graham’s situation is more dire than Jim Searles’ customers, they both present us with a different spectrum of friendship and how friendship can compare to the importance of family.
True friendship derives from one’s sacrifices made for someone else, not simply the association made with someone or the few times we choose to hang out. The term friendship is one of the most commonly used and misinterpreted words in the dictionary. When we are conversing with a stranger in any location we always state that our companion is a friend even though people rarely associate with one another or simply choose to state this because we simply do not want to hurt their feelings or come across as being impolite.
Graham was residing in a world of poverty for his entire life time. He traveled the country for many years but has since halted his expedition due to his aging stature. Emphatically defining his status in the world as being a hobo, not a beggar, Graham believed in working for his daily essentials. By stating that hobos share meals and are loyal to one another while beggars are selfish he explains that hobos are one large community. Hobos have an integral communication system where they leave marks in areas where work is plentiful and wanted. He explained that a hobo should never worry about food because they work for rations and nearby hobos would grant others food if needed. Currently residing in the State of Iowa, Graham was able to form alliances with other hobos at a young age. At age thirteen he gave other hobos some vegetables and in return they “taught him the ways of the hobo.” They encouraged him to go home but he insisted and in the ensuing time they described to him how to speak, dress and act so other hobos could recognize him. After years of interaction, he to became the master statesman and acted as the master of ceremonies.
Although Jim Searles customers are not struggling to survive, they are, however, struggling to rid their addiction of playing checkers. At the outset, Jim Searles and his friends played checkers at the Mount Morris Park in Harlem. During that time period, he was disgusted to see that they had no other location where they could play checkers. So in 1972, Jim formed a club and almost instantly it became a royalty. Checker players from all around flooded the club and it soon became the place to play. Players played almost all day, which disgusted their wives because they would rarely be at home. Referring to themselves as “checker players”, Jim explained that the brotherhood closely resembled a family. If one of the players was sick or in dire need the other players would tend to his needs until he was back on his feet. Players are so loyal to one another that they would miss their honeymoon to play checkers or divorce their wives when their wives irritated them. Jesse Calloway, a long time player with the group, was recently in the hospital, so Jim Searles went to the hospital and played checkers with him.
These two stories conveyed friendship in a different manner. The story of “Steam Train Maury Graham” illustrated how sharing and trust could garner a lifetime of prosperity whereas Jim Searles and his companions displayed how sacrifice and commitment can obtain respect. Both faced their fair share of difficulties in life, which had obviously made them stronger as people. During times of difficulty, people mature at a rapid pace, which in turn allows them to become more polite and more generous than before. These acts do not go unnoticed, as both received tremendous contributions as a result of their acts. Graham received rations and was welcomed throughout the community while Searles received a new area to play to checkers when the City accidently demolished his building.
Both of these stories illustrated the true definition of friendship and conveyed to us how people should respect one another. Respect and loyalty are rare commodities in this world, because people have strayed away from the respectful and welcoming attitude from the past. The current society much represents the polar opposite of that statement, because people do not encounter many stories that teach then true friendship. The next time a friend requests assistance in any way, people should politely offer our aid, not provide some idiotic excuse as to why they cannot help.