Reconnecting

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We were visiting some petroglyphs yesterday, and I had mentioned that the figures depicted must have been important or special people in the tribe. At Tom’s suggestion, I am going to take time to periodically write about the many people in my past that have been important and special. I regret that I allowed many of these friends to become part of the past, and have not kept in touch as I should. When I stop to think about it, I am overwhelmed with the number of people that have affected my life, and whose lives interacted with mine for better or worse. I realize I have much for which I can be thankful.

We also visited a natural arch that used to be two arches, but one of them has collapsed. Tom noted that once that connection is broken the arch falls and it cannot be put back together. Thankfully relationships and friendships do not have to be that way. If you want to rekindle the friendship, a way can be found to reconnect, but it will take effort.

I was thinking about my college days, and more specifically the ones at Concordia. It was an interesting time, since it was the first year for the school to be at its new campus, so things were new for everyone. It was truly my first time away from home for more than a week at a time. Our group of friends became like family, looking out for each other, spending hours together, and even sharing dorm rooms. I remember Danielle, who I knew somewhat from church youth outings back home. She was always happy and outgoing and helped me break out of my shell. Derek became a fast friend and we roomed together my second year there. He came home with me that first thanksgiving we knew each other, in one of the worst snow storms I can remember. We made it all the way to within about 1.5 miles from the farm before getting stuck. In the days before cell phones, we walked to the neighbors house and got help. Derek was the one that got me interested in traveling, by taking a camping trip, flying to New York, and the big trip to Europe. We stayed in touch for several years, but lost contact a few years ago. Then there was the “Make Mequon Fun” Committee. Theresa, Adele, and Pam were always ready to go for pizza and frozen custard. We had the best times going out for pizza, and I even remember going to three different places in one night, and one of them was in downtown Madison. Pam even went so far as to include me in her family when I moved to an apartment to finish my schooling at Marquette. Her parents treated me like a son.

These are the kinds of people you should hang onto in life, I regret not doing that when life got in the way. Tom says he will help me track them down and maybe we can reconnect. I am going to try to in the next week and see who we can find. I would love to hear what they are doing now.