Recognition & Reconnection

The world is a small place.  Running into someone you have not seen in 38 years in a place totally unexpected while doing a routine activity can be a startling experience.  Such was the case when Jim and I were out seeing campgrounds today.  I did not know whether to faint (I didn't) or cry (I did) when we were surprised by this encounter with Dale and Rita.

In one swift moment, the years of uncertainty of not knowing what had happened or where in the world they had gone was suddenly plucked from the closet one keeps in the recesses of one's mind for these seemingly unanswerable questions.  In a moment the weight of wondering is lifted.

We shared dinner and caught up on some of the details thirty eight years can harbor, but certainly we just covered an overview of our lives in this one short evening.  However, I walked away knowing I had gained the solace of learning life had unfolded kindly for them.  There is a daughter, grandsons, pets, a parent still living, security, dreams and retirement hopes.  In the end, life has been good to all of us.  And for that I am grateful.