By James Williamson
Definition of the word friend as found in Webster’s Dictionary is “a person whom one knows well and is fond of.”
I would like to tell you about my friend Jan Cheripko. It started 47 years ago. I grew up in a very rural area of New York State. A new elementary school opened in January that all of the children in my neighborhood attended. There were only two fourth grade classes in the school. Jan was in one class, I was in the other. We enjoyed having the same gym class and recess after lunch. Recess was always baseball as long as the weather permitted. All of us students couldn’t get to the ball field fast enough. There was always a good ball game to have in thirty minutes. We met each other during these times and became acquainted. On special occasions our teachers would have a special ball game, one fourth grade class against the other. These games were very exciting with all the girls in the stands cheering. Jan was the tough catcher with great defense and a good bat. I was the fast second baseman who always was on base. As soon as I was on base I was always thinking about stealing the next base. In this particular game the score was tied in the bottom of the ninth. I was on second base with two outs. A boy named Bruce Capwell was up, a good hitter but not quick on his feet. Bruce sliced a single to left field. I only had one thing in my mind and it was to score the winning run. Jan waited as the ball and I arrived at home base at the same time. We collided in a cloud of dust and fell to the ground. Our teacher yelled “safe.” All the other classmates of mine were celebrating; Jan stood up and put out his hand to help me up. When I got on my feet Jan said, “nice slide,” I replied “nice tag.” We then walked off the field with our arms around each other’s shoulders. From that point, two young nine year old boys started a long friendship that remains intact today.
A few years later Jan and I were playing in a summer softball league. Our summers were spent playing sports and hanging out with each other. In this one particular game I was the pitcher and Jan was at his usual position, the catcher. Our team was up by one run in the bottom of the last inning. Our opponent had a runner on third with one out. The batter took a big swing and sent the ball to right field. Mike caught the ball as the runner on third tried to score the tying run. Mike threw a strike to home. I was backing up Jan behind the plate. I really never needed to be there as Jan always caught the ball. As the ball reached Jan the unusual happened, Jan dropped the ball and it rolled over to me. I picked the ball up and tossed it to Jan as he tagged the runner out. We had won the game in dramatic fashion. Jan said to me, “thanks for backing me up.” Two young boys walked off the field with their arms around each others, two young boys being friends.
As I reflected back on those days I cherish the relationship we have had for all the years. How God has blessed us! Our higher power had a plan that started on that special day forty-seven years ago. Jan went on to become one of the many people responsible for The Family School being what it is today. My life seemed to be going fine until the most precious thing to me took a turn for the worst. My only child started on a path of self-destruction. After many conversations with Jan, Tyler was sent to The Family School. My Higher Power, I believe, had a plan all long. How lucky was I that Jan was at The Family School. Just like in our ball game many years ago, this time Jan was backing me up. As I dropped my son off at the school my heart was breaking. This was the most difficult thing I have ever faced in my life. I walked out the school’s front door and headed down the long flight of stairs. I looked at the bottom of the stairs and there was Jan standing there waiting for me. He gave me a hug and we walked through the parking lot with our arms around each other’s shoulders. Just like 47 years ago two boys being FRIENDS.
