Skip to main content

Memory Miracle



For the past several weeks an old friend has been on my mind.  Mainly as a passing thought .. but this niggling of wonder that kept creeping up.  Mind you, this is a friend I haven't been in contact with for over twenty-five years.  We knew each other for a summer between years of college when I was waiting tables at a resort in upstate NY.

I'd recently reconnected with another former summer employee, Tim, through Facebook and talked about our families and exchanged a note about how life had 'turned out'.  At that time it reminded me so strongly of a mutual friend Ed, and that's likely the reason he kept coming to mind … but the thought was still there days and weeks later.

So on a random Saturday morning, in the middle of bundling up to go out and conquer the arrival of six inches of snow .. I sent him a note.  I wasn't sure he'd even remember me, yet I wanted to reach out to say I'd connected with Tim recently and he came to mind.  To wish him a Merry Christmas and say what a beautiful family he had through FB pictures.

Here's the miracle.

Sometimes in our minds we remember something as significant and yet the further you get from it or with another's perspective you realize it wasn't as significant as you had imagined it.  This is not what happened with Ed.

He sent me a really nice note back recalling details from the summer of 1985 that even I couldn't have recalled that quickly.  What a terrific walk down memory lane we exchanged.  And from that summer of short shorts, memorable concerts and pool time we preserved that memory for each of us.  Sometimes things are exactly as we remember them - poignant and absolutely wonderful.

He wouldn't understand that he was my 'miracle' yesterday…. but I won't tell him.  It will change the landscape in a way I'd have to spend too much time explaining … but it certainly brought some Christmas magic to both our lives.

And it makes me smile recalling that summer ...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#BeBrave

I found myself in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place this week.  It's taken me days to process what occurred, how I responded and how I'm choosing to move forward. In a professional environment, during an ordinary 3pm de-brief meeting I found myself being verbally attacked and disrespected by a bully.  I remained calm, spoke my mind carefully and respectfully.  It was surprising and over the next few days became increasingly unsettling. There were others in the room, and no one spoke to support me.  It has struck me as so odd, hurtful and profoundly unacceptable. Like any good drama episode written by Aaron Sorkin or JJ Abrams, let's rewind to 8 hours earlier. Once again browsing new selections in iTunes for my running mix.  I know, I get bored easily, huh?  I love how the music motivates me so I'm always on the lookout for new and upbeat songs.  I came across a feature for the new Sara Bareilles album streaming for free this weekend, so I b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Month of Miracles

photo credit:   http://marcestes.com/2011/02/11/miracles-the-need-for-the-hour/ In the tradition of continuing the commitment to writing each day, I am beginning the month of December as I have for many years…. with a passage from Simple Abundance about December. "December's gifts - custom, ceremony, celebration, consecration - come to us wrapped up, not in tissue and ribbons, but in cherished memories.  This is the month of miracles.  The oil that burns for eight days, the royal son born in a stable, the inexplicable return of Light on the longest, darkest night of the year.  Where there is Love, there are always miracles.  And where there are miracles, there is great joy. Gratefully, we weave the golden thread of .. joy in our tapestry of contentment.  At last we embrace the miracle of authenticity, changing forever how we view ourselves.  Our daily round.  Our dreams.  Our destinies.  Days we once called common, we now call hol...
Post a Comment
Read more

Be yourself

Sometimes things just hit me like out of the blue and I wonder why didn't I think of that sooner!?  And after the realization settles in I'm at such peace.  This has happened several times recently at work with all the lessons I've amassed over the last 8 months of a project that is coming to a close.  I honestly didn't realize that I learned so much, or that I was actually putting those lessons into action. I find that I evolve at an interesting rate.  Sometimes it feels as though nothing changes, and other times it's like I don't even remember how things used to be.  And all the while I've maintained that I just need to be myself.  Although I've changed over time through the lessons, the core of who I am remains the same. And that's a great feeling.  To not have to turn myself inside out to fit.  It not only allows me to be authentic, but feels so true deep inside.  I say what I mean, I mean what I say and I know how to say it as to...
Post a Comment
Read more