This past weekend has been one of memories and emotions. In a series of circumstances, parts of the last 30 years of my life came flooding back, bringing both laughter and joy, and also regret, sadness, and some guilt.

It began when my brother posted on our family’s website a picture from my Confirmation a picture of my dad and me. I chucked as I saw how much I’ve turned into my father 30 years later. We lost him nine years ago now, and I still miss him so much.

Last Thursday I reunited with old friends with whom I sang in a worship band at my old church. It’s been three years or longer since I ministered with these ones who shared life with me for so long, during many wonderful times and tough times. It was just a couple hours of pure joy.

Finally, my sibs are finally cleaning out the attic of my mother’s house, home to boxes and boxes of stuff from the childhoods of eight children. My mom admitted that we all received the pack rat gene from her and Dad. I found lots of junk with a few gems. My notes from college: trash. My Michelin maps of Europe from the 70’s: golden! I found tons of letters and cards from old friends, many with just chit-chat, and some with profound meaningful messages. My memory is so bad that I couldn’t come up with a couple of the names!

What is it about friendships that ebb and flow? Why is it that there are people that you loved so much that you’d give up your life for them are hardly ever communicated with? I feel a lot of shame that I haven’t been a better friend; haven’t kept up with old friends as my life has transitioned through different seasons.  I know that we all have limits of time and resources, but just as technology has shrunk the world, so can it facilitate keeping friends communicating.

To all of those people who in the past four decades befriended me and allowed me to share a part of their world, thank you.