I’m currently taking my pretty little time drafting a second book. I’ll soon divulge more info on that venture in an upcoming newsletter (sign up, won’t you?). In the meantime, though, I had a question for y’all. I was hoping we could have an extensive dialogue in the comments below.
Here’s the question:
What are your favorite stories of friendship and community?
These stories can be fictional or nonfictional. They can come from the Bible or from The Real World. Books, television, movies, video games, comics — honestly, the sky’s the limit. I want to know what stories of friendship move you, regardless the medium.
Consider it “research” for my second book. I’ll get things started.
My favorite friendship story from Scripture has always been the brotherly bond of David and Jonathan. I’ve probably read 1/2 Samuel more than any other non-Psalms Old Testament book, and I never tire of reading about these two. In fact, my heart always races a bit faster when I know those heartwarming passages are coming. So good.
I love the comedy show Community. It follows a ragtag study group at a lowly community college, and the show is more about the community at this community college than the school itself. My favorite moments on this show are when the main characters are simply seated around a study room table, bantering and bonding in friendship all the same.
Finally, it’s hard to beat Frodo and Sam from The Lord of the Rings saga. I think their friendship can be summed up in a single line from Mr. Samwise. Regarding the daunting ring in Frodo’s pocket:
Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you!
So there you have it. Those are some of my favorite friendship stories. But I’d love you guys to help me out with some of your own.
What are some of your favorite friendship stories? Regardless the genre, what’s the first wonderful friendship that comes to your mind?
Man I thought you were cool already and then you LIKE COMMUNITY. Are you flawless?! That show does have some really tender friendship moments from all different types of dark souls. It’s beautiful. Particularly the friendship of Annie and Abed in season 3 was my favorite. Troy is great for Abed in that he jumps into Abed’s world and understands him so well. But Annie is so special because she crawls into Abed’s world, figures out why he’s there, and then helps him realize he doesn’t need to be there. The “Virtual Systems Analysis” episode was my favorite display of friendship on the show. And Abed sees Annie in a different way and is one of the people he really cares for. And also “Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism” is pretty great for Shirley and Jeff. ANYWAY….
I also agree with the Sherlock comments. Particularly a scene from season 3, but I won’t spoil it.
But my *favorite* friendship stories though are the ones in my own life. One of my closest friends has had inhumane patience for me. He’s the kind of guy that if you wrote him into a fiction book, no one would believe he was real. For years of our friendship, he always did the right thing. He honored me before God, and never had a lick of interest in me as more than a friend. He never gave up on me, even when we both thought he should. But nothing compares to our friendship now that we’re more equal. He’s incredibly difficult sometimes. He’s terrible at showing me that I mean anything to him, and has finally stopped lecturing me that I need to stop caring about that.. to admit that he does struggle with it. So now it’s not the grand gestures but more of the small ones. The quirky look when a song comes on. Stuff like that. That has years of build up and wouldn’t be possible without knowing that the two of you treaded into friendship, difficulties and good times together.
/ Man. I leave the LONGEST comments on your blogs. I’m really jealous that you can write short blogs. My comments are LONGER than your BLOGS.
I love the long comments! Please keep it up; it makes me happy. Also, any talk of Community delights my soul. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.