Final Draft
FINAL DRAFT
Jonathan Spoerl
English 100
Leaving Larry
Throughout my life, I have always been the life of a party. I have always had people around me who enjoyed my infectious personality and appreciated my sense of humor. Although, I have also learned that you cannot trust everyone because people can take you for granted. Despite the acquaintances who have wronged me in the past, I have always had a core group of friends who have supported me through it all. I am not saying that I am the poster child for friendship by any means, but I can confidently say that my closest friends will always have my back. In particular, there has been one friend who has been there for me in my highs and lows, Larry. Now let me make this very clear, I have made very bad decisions, many of which have been with Larry, but even as my partner in crime, he is a wholesome human being with a heart of gold. Until recently, I have never realized how much of an intricate role Larry has played in my life, up until he dropped a bomb on me.
Three weeks ago Larry and I were sitting in a diner, which was pretty standard for us on a hungover Sunday afternoon, when he received a call. When he looked at his phone, I felt his entire demeanor change. Larry has a smile that breaks girls’ hearts and a happy-go-lucky personality; but when he was on the phone he was stern and could not crack the slightest smirk. Based on his actions, I knew that he was dealing with something serious, but I didn’t know what he was facing. As he excused himself from the table I heard him say “Yes, Sir”. I have known Larry for almost a decade now and I have never heard him utter the word “sir”. I didn’t want to look too deeply into it, so I kept eating my bacon, egg, and cheese. When he came back to the booth, ten minutes later, I knew that he had something important to tell me.
Previously, Larry attended Catholic University, but he dropped out because college had not provided him with the best structure. Since we have both been living home, we obviously gravitate toward each other and hang out constantly. When we sat in that booth and he said to me, “I need to tell you something and I really hope you support me”, I knew that what he was going to share had significance, especially after his mysterious phone call. I obviously said to him that I would be supportive in whatever he wanted to do because I know Larry would never go out of his way to make a poor decision. He then revealed to me something I was not expecting, Larry enlisted in the Marines. At first I did not know what to say, but after Larry tried selling me on his life-changing opportunity, I congratulated him because I admire his bravey and service. Although, the next question on my mind was the inevitable; how long does he have until leaving for basic training? As reality was beginning to sink in, he told me that he did not need to leave until the end of summer. Larry’s enlisting took me by surprise, but I am so proud of him for stepping up and doing what he feels is best for his future. During this time that I have left with him, I know that I need to make the most of our time together.
Recently, more than ever before, I have been inseparable with Larry. I have a new respect for him and our friendship. I honestly just want to make the greatest memories while I have him here. Some of the best times and fondest memories that I will keep from our friendship was when we went to Penn State the weekend after he told me the news. Since so many of our close friends attend State, we always manage to have a good time. Time flew on our drive to Happy Valley because we were ready to start partying with our best friends to celebrate Larry’s commitment. Once we were there, it was the ultimate guy’s night out. We started pregaming in our friends’ room, which was conveniently located in the house that was throwing a huge party. We were playing the songs that reminded us of the simple times of high school and reminiscing on all the reckless times we have all had together. I honestly could not have asked for more; people that I love surrounding me, and me fully realizing how fortunate I am to have these great guys in my life, especially Larry. Later we went downstairs, it was like a classic scene out of Animal House. All I remember was looking at Larry and saying “I love you, man. These next few months have to be the best ones yet”. Larry looked back at me, smiled, and said “I wouldn’t want it any other way”. That night at Penn State was one of the craziest nights of our lives, the shenanigans we got into were too explicit. Although there are many unmentionables to our wild night, Larry and I will hold that night as one to put down in our history book. But, if there was one thing I would say about that night, it would have to be that I am so lucky to have a friend like Larry.
I cannot explain Larry Conroy simply, in fact, there are no amount of words that will truly do him justice. The many memories that I have shared with him are ones that I will never forget. I want only the best for Larry, and the United States’ Marine Corps will soon realize that they are receiving one of the best. Most importantly, I have learned the people you care about most should not be taken for granted because you never know where they could end up. I never thought that the people closest to me could leave abruptly without knowing if they would ever come back. When Larry goes to basic training I cannot say how I will react or how I will try to fill his void. All I know is that friendship should be nurtured and appreciated, which is what I plan to do until Larry leaves.
Jonathan Spoerl
English 100
Leaving Larry
Throughout my life, I have always been the life of a party. I have always had people around me who enjoyed my infectious personality and appreciated my sense of humor. Although, I have also learned that you cannot trust everyone because people can take you for granted. Despite the acquaintances who have wronged me in the past, I have always had a core group of friends who have supported me through it all. I am not saying that I am the poster child for friendship by any means, but I can confidently say that my closest friends will always have my back. In particular, there has been one friend who has been there for me in my highs and lows, Larry. Now let me make this very clear, I have made very bad decisions, many of which have been with Larry, but even as my partner in crime, he is a wholesome human being with a heart of gold. Until recently, I have never realized how much of an intricate role Larry has played in my life, up until he dropped a bomb on me.
Three weeks ago Larry and I were sitting in a diner, which was pretty standard for us on a hungover Sunday afternoon, when he received a call. When he looked at his phone, I felt his entire demeanor change. Larry has a smile that breaks girls’ hearts and a happy-go-lucky personality; but when he was on the phone he was stern and could not crack the slightest smirk. Based on his actions, I knew that he was dealing with something serious, but I didn’t know what he was facing. As he excused himself from the table I heard him say “Yes, Sir”. I have known Larry for almost a decade now and I have never heard him utter the word “sir”. I didn’t want to look too deeply into it, so I kept eating my bacon, egg, and cheese. When he came back to the booth, ten minutes later, I knew that he had something important to tell me.
Previously, Larry attended Catholic University, but he dropped out because college had not provided him with the best structure. Since we have both been living home, we obviously gravitate toward each other and hang out constantly. When we sat in that booth and he said to me, “I need to tell you something and I really hope you support me”, I knew that what he was going to share had significance, especially after his mysterious phone call. I obviously said to him that I would be supportive in whatever he wanted to do because I know Larry would never go out of his way to make a poor decision. He then revealed to me something I was not expecting, Larry enlisted in the Marines. At first I did not know what to say, but after Larry tried selling me on his life-changing opportunity, I congratulated him because I admire his bravey and service. Although, the next question on my mind was the inevitable; how long does he have until leaving for basic training? As reality was beginning to sink in, he told me that he did not need to leave until the end of summer. Larry’s enlisting took me by surprise, but I am so proud of him for stepping up and doing what he feels is best for his future. During this time that I have left with him, I know that I need to make the most of our time together.
Recently, more than ever before, I have been inseparable with Larry. I have a new respect for him and our friendship. I honestly just want to make the greatest memories while I have him here. Some of the best times and fondest memories that I will keep from our friendship was when we went to Penn State the weekend after he told me the news. Since so many of our close friends attend State, we always manage to have a good time. Time flew on our drive to Happy Valley because we were ready to start partying with our best friends to celebrate Larry’s commitment. Once we were there, it was the ultimate guy’s night out. We started pregaming in our friends’ room, which was conveniently located in the house that was throwing a huge party. We were playing the songs that reminded us of the simple times of high school and reminiscing on all the reckless times we have all had together. I honestly could not have asked for more; people that I love surrounding me, and me fully realizing how fortunate I am to have these great guys in my life, especially Larry. Later we went downstairs, it was like a classic scene out of Animal House. All I remember was looking at Larry and saying “I love you, man. These next few months have to be the best ones yet”. Larry looked back at me, smiled, and said “I wouldn’t want it any other way”. That night at Penn State was one of the craziest nights of our lives, the shenanigans we got into were too explicit. Although there are many unmentionables to our wild night, Larry and I will hold that night as one to put down in our history book. But, if there was one thing I would say about that night, it would have to be that I am so lucky to have a friend like Larry.
I cannot explain Larry Conroy simply, in fact, there are no amount of words that will truly do him justice. The many memories that I have shared with him are ones that I will never forget. I want only the best for Larry, and the United States’ Marine Corps will soon realize that they are receiving one of the best. Most importantly, I have learned the people you care about most should not be taken for granted because you never know where they could end up. I never thought that the people closest to me could leave abruptly without knowing if they would ever come back. When Larry goes to basic training I cannot say how I will react or how I will try to fill his void. All I know is that friendship should be nurtured and appreciated, which is what I plan to do until Larry leaves.