Don’t Eat Donuts for Breakfast

Raoul’s Two Cents: March 6, 2026

Intimate Friends

If you don’t want to ponder, move on to the Jokes.

John, my partner in my property management business, is about to undergo a bypass operation in a few hours. I called him up and made sure he was ready for whatever may happen. He was in good cheer. John is a born-again, Bible thumping Christian. He knows that his faith in Christ and not any good deed is his ticket to heaven. He’s ready for anything. We said our goodbyes … hopefully, not the last one.

I remember John’s phone call in 2017: “Raoul, me and other Rotarians are going to Nigeria to teach the locals about entrepreneurship … would you like to join us?” A week later I found myself alone in the humid Nigerian airport — the lone foreigner in a sea of dark-skinned natives. Through a series of unforeseen events, I was separated from the rest of my Rotarian teammates and somehow arrived at the airport hours ahead of the others.

It was only then when I realized that I was completely detached from my world. If some bandit decided to kidnap and murder me, feed my body to wild hyenas … no one would ever know what happened to me. I must have looked like a lost puppy because an airport security guard approached me. “Where are you from? China?” “No,” I said (not wanting to invite a kidnap), “I’m from the Philippines.” “Filipinas! Oh, Paquiao!” he laughed. This boxing enthusiast in faraway Nigeria knew Manny Paquiao, the Filipino champion.

We became instant friends. He led me to a sit-down restaurant inside the airport where I was able to rest. He signaled to the waitress to make sure it was okay for me to sit there. As I watched people come and go, I decided to take out my sketchpad and draw people’s faces. I asked the waitress if she wouldn’t mind posing for me. She was surprised by the proposition but she finally gave in. After a few minutes, I handed her the caricature. She laughed. We laughed. People in the restaurant laughed. Somebody asked if I could do his sketch. Then another. Pretty soon, a crowd formed around my table. The restaurant started getting lots of customers because there was a long line of people laughing at my caricatures.

When my fellow Rotarians finally arrived, they had no trouble finding me in that vast airport. Of course, John was surprised to see all the trouble I had caused in such a short time. John partnered with me the whole time I was in Africa. We taught thousands of college Nigerians in standing-room school auditoriums about starting their own business (I believe about 40% were unemployed). It was between one of those sessions when John shared his idea of starting a partnership with me. That’s when our friendship blossomed.

I wrote more about this in my previous TGIF emails.

John was a lot healthier then. We’ve been through several adventures together (both in Africa and here in the States). As John faced this crucial challenge, I told him to make sure his operation is successful because I planned to visit him in Connecticut this year.

My deep connection with John isn’t unique. I have many intimate friends — friends who have gone below surface level relationships. Some of you who are reading this article know you are one of them. Friends are a true blessing. They make life fun and exciting. But did you notice — the deeper we get in a relationship, the deeper the pain when we lose them? Is that why some avoid the hurt and keep their distance? Have they been hurt so bad that it’s hard for them to trust? I hope this isn’t you. If it is, get in touch with me and I may be able to help.

When my older brother died, I remember my Mom telling me that her loss was so deep; but she learned to survive and carry on because her suffering taught her compassion and to love even deeper.

TGIF People!

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Quotes of the Week

“Friends don’t let friends do silly things… alone.” — Anonymous

“There’s nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.” — Anonymous

“My friends and I are crazy. That’s the only thing that keeps us sane.” — Matt Schucker

“A good friend will always stab you in the front.” — Oscar Wilde

“I don’t like to commit myself about heaven and hell — you see, I have friends in both places.” — Mark Twain

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Bear with each other and forgive one another; if any of you has a grievance against someone, forgive as the Lord forgave you.” — Colossians 3:13

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” — Romans 12:10

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Fred of Long Beach, California.

Parting Shots

Thanks to James of Los Angeles, CA

Thanks to Barbara of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Donna of Whittier, CA

Thanks to Jennifer of Los Angeles, CA

Thanks to Fred of Long Beach, CA

Thanks to Bev of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Norm of Encino, CA

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

I found these:

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

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