Connections

Recently I have made contact with several long-lost friends. I generally have Facebook to thank for this. Today, I added two friends on Facebook. One of them I have been thinking about for the last few weeks, so I was thrilled to see her on FB and begin to reconnect with her.

I've also connected with a girl I spent a summer with in Jersey City. I was the adult, she was the teen. She was one of ten girls in her school who were virgins still (this was sophomore year). The school year after I saw her, she became pregnant. I haven't spoken to her - call it lack of energy or whatever.

She actually emailed me this week with an ancient email address I suppose I keep around for times like these. She is raising her child, working two jobs, and attending school to become a nurse. I am so proud of her drive to make a better life for her child.

Something about old connections makes me feel safe. In a town where we still haven't made any deep connections, it feels calming to know that someone out there still KNOWS me - not just my name, but has made memories with me and discussed silly and serious matters with me.

Keeping at least some of those connections has become more important to me the older I get. Coming to a place where I am not known has made me cherish those who do understand me all the more.

I am grateful for the old friends who have reached out and touched me after years of no communication. And while they may never read this, they have blessed me this week with their little "hi"s.