I went out to visit my parents a few weeks ago. While I was out there, one of my brothers' childhood friends, David, stopped by to talk to my parents. Unfortunately, we were out of the house at the time, but he saw my license plates and realized that I must be visiting. He reached out to me on Facebook, which I almost never use. Luckily, I do have it installed on my phone, so I was notified. His mother was in the hospital, and he had stopped to let my parents know and to ask them to pray for her. We are people of faith, as he is, and he felt to reach out in this difficult time.
David and I ended up having a long, meaningful conversation. When I think about those relatively carefree days of my youth, I often think about my mistakes, those embarrassing moments of youth, the things that did not work out, my own weaknesses. However, in our conversation, I was reminded of the good times, the good friends and relationships I had, even with those who were not terribly close to me, friends of my brothers like him. And I was reminded that renewed friendships can be powerful and meaningful. I had been reminded over the last couple of years, as I'd talked to other old friends, but I am grateful for yet another reminder of the importance of connection and reconnection.
This is not unlike my the old music I've been listening to lately. I didn't really actively listen to music until my teen years, so the music of my childhood in the 70s is mostly buried, only to come up once in a great while. But when it does come up, so many feelings come along with it, feelings sometimes surprisingly complicated, but all part of me, part of what I have become.
I am grateful for the reminder of a rich personal history. I don't live in the past, but visiting once in a while can be enriching. That it can be enriching, I had almost forgotten in my busy life. It's good to slow down and remember.
David and I ended up having a long, meaningful conversation. When I think about those relatively carefree days of my youth, I often think about my mistakes, those embarrassing moments of youth, the things that did not work out, my own weaknesses. However, in our conversation, I was reminded of the good times, the good friends and relationships I had, even with those who were not terribly close to me, friends of my brothers like him. And I was reminded that renewed friendships can be powerful and meaningful. I had been reminded over the last couple of years, as I'd talked to other old friends, but I am grateful for yet another reminder of the importance of connection and reconnection.
This is not unlike my the old music I've been listening to lately. I didn't really actively listen to music until my teen years, so the music of my childhood in the 70s is mostly buried, only to come up once in a great while. But when it does come up, so many feelings come along with it, feelings sometimes surprisingly complicated, but all part of me, part of what I have become.
I am grateful for the reminder of a rich personal history. I don't live in the past, but visiting once in a while can be enriching. That it can be enriching, I had almost forgotten in my busy life. It's good to slow down and remember.
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