Yesterday, I ran into some old friends - folks that I used to see nearly every Sunday as we rehearsed for a song and dance variety show but haven't seen in perhaps as many as 5 years. And we live at most 5 miles apart!
It was so good to see them! Standing there in the grocery store, we reminisced about the songs we sang, the people we knew, even the costumes we used to wear. And we did a superficial catch-up... How are you? Have you been well? The kids? How many grandkids now? What are you doing for work?
But superficial connection is about all I can ever accomplish at the grocery store - and I was left feeling warm to have reacquainted myself with my friends' lives but not fully satisfied. It was like eating a candy bar when one is truly hungry. It tastes sweet and lovely, but it doesn't fill one up.
Fortunately - I guess - I've felt this feeling before and have long had a goal to forge deeper connections with people I like and admire. So before our conversation ended yesterday, I pushed us all to agree to get together. But it was more than, "We must get together!" It was, "Let's get together - and let's do it..." I had to do some fast thinking. Will we have time for another engagement before the winter holidays? Will they? Probably not. Hmmm... I don't really know my January calendar yet - but hmmm... not the first weekend, too soon. Not later in the month, I know there's something going on then. Hmmm... "How about the second weekend in January?" I blurted out.
It was a lucky stab at a date. It works for us all - and hooray, there's one more thing to look forward to in 2008! And a reminder to me that the goal of making time for friends - and making the effort to carve into schedules to actually do it - is absolutely a goal that I want on my 2008 list. Next year at this time, I want to look back at a series of connecting gatherings - and not be wondering why I haven't seen people for almost 5 years!
It's easy to let time go by - to think that there's plenty of time ahead. But if I were to start counting my life to come in 5 year intervals, there's not enough time to spend with people I like and admire. Even if I live to 103, if I only get together with some people every 5 years or so, I'm going to be having that same candy bar feeling at the end of my life as I experienced yesterday. Not good enough!
So I'm already off to a good start with a date set for mid January, 2008. And I do believe a lesson has been learned - at least for the time being. For the reminding nudges I need - well, maybe I'll just have to hang out at the grocery store more often!
Wishing you a connected week!
Sally
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