Chivalry isn't dead ... yet

I'm not real good with words when it comes to conversing with people.

I love to communicate and do it rather well.

Sure, I can add a little color to a story or write some really cool lyrics for a song by twisting a few things here and there or by simplifying a rhyme scheme to make words sound neat when placed together.

It's easy to sit and write down what you feel. It's easy to sit down and pen a few things here or there.

But it's more difficult to say that sometimes in person. It's hard to express true deep feelings when you want to the most.

I've been dealing with that for the past month.

I recently had a discussion with several friends regarding an episode that took place close to one month ago.

Most of those friends agreed that I did the right thing.

And one friend, someone whom I have not talked with for quite a while, brought up something that made me feel pretty good.

Chivalry.

According to dictionary.com, chivalry may have up to six definitions. One is "the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy, generosity, valor and dexterity in arms." The remaining are as follows:

* The rules and customs of medieval knighthood,

* The medieval system or institution of knighthood,

* A group of Knights,

* Gallant warriors or gentlemen, and

* A chivalrous act; gallant deed.

There are several words there that I had never thought of concerning myself.

The first is courtesy. Sure, I open the door at the store for many, but I can be rude, just like a lot of others.

Generosity. Hmm, I never thought of myself as generous, but I like where this is going.

Valor. Enough said.

The remaining definitions deal with medieval times as the word is often used to describe the Knights of the Roundtable.

But those words, courtesy, generosity and valor, they mean something.

At least they mean something to me, and they should to you as well.

I was presented an opportunity nearly one month ago that -- according to some of my friends -- I should have taken advantage of. But, and again, according to them, I dropped the ball.

But, some other friends have recently informed me of what I hoped was true.

Maybe I'm a pretty nice guy after all.

It's even more reassuring when it comes from friends.

I just wish she knew.