The sun sets on another day…
I saw a brief glimpse of sunset as I spent time with old friends and perhaps a few new ones. It was an interesting evening and as twilight fell the laughter, conversation, and joy in the room made me smile.
Tonight I had the pleasure of rekindling some old relationships and making some new ones. I won’t tell you how many years it has been, but as I spent time with my high school class I could only be amazed at the people we had become.
Of course there are some naysayers who would come up with negativity or give an idea that perhaps the world was not perfect back then. It wasn’t, and they are right. Still, the people that we knew in our childhood and our adolescence shaped us and gave us the foundation to make us who we are today. This was only a foundation though, and it was not their choice who we became. It was ours
As I wandered between people trying to make sure everyone had a good time I was amazed at the sheer number who showed up. Perhaps they were trying to see what had become of others and perhaps trying to make a difference in their own world. At the same time, they could have just been there to have fun.
Many came with other people. They were happy and content to spend time with their friends and look around and wonder who the people were that were wandering in and out of the area we occupied. As the time passed on, something amazing happened. Those people who were clinging to their friends slowly branched out and began interacting and remembering a past rich in stories and full of excitement.
Some people were searching for others, some people loved to talk, and some people just wanted to listen. I did a bit of each as I watched, listened, learned, and laughed.
I found that I did not follow a similar path as many of my classmates. Where they were involved in sports, partying and having fun, I was working and I didn’t get to do many of the things they did. Still the perspectives were enlightening and I enjoyed every story I heard, whether it be sad or happy, uplifting, or maybe not so much.
There were quite a few who asked me why I helped, and as the group waned I realized it was the whole idea of the bear and the mountain. Because the bear went over the mountain to see what he could see. For me, I found it wasn’t just the other side of the mountain it was a little bit of history and a lot of reality.
I met husbands and wives who were there to support their significant other, and I enjoyed talking with many of them. I enjoyed the wonderful staff at The Cellar, And I was thankful for the things that they brought to the table and their patient kindness. I interacted, and interacted some more and mostly I was happy for the small team that somehow had come together and created a miracle. There will likely be other miracles this weekend, and I’m looking forward to each one.
So as the sun sets on another day, find your passion. Find your people. Find a way past your hate and your preconceived notions. Let go for a second and you might see that all of us are together if only a little. Find common ground and hold on to it and when you meet people from your past give them the chance to be the people they are. You might find that you’re a part of a better life and perhaps so are they. Keep being who you are but be open to change and make every day the most magnificent day it can be, no matter what.
Sleep sweet, love life, and thanks to everyone who was there…