It was Saturday morning when we met.  We gathered at a round table, in a local restaurant,
and while the sun streamed in through the surrounding windows, we began the catching
up process.  You see, it had been 45 years since we all met together, and you can imagine
how plentiful the conversations were.  We shared some of the endless moments that shaped
us over the years.

We reminisced for the first part of the breakfast, and then shared family updates in the later
part.  There were no breaks in the conversations, and laughter was plentiful.

 

 

It was 1971 when we met together at the beginning of the summer, to head for

a weekend at the beach.  After I took this picture, the five of us piled into my

tan VW Bug, and drove the almost 3 hours, to our destination.  We may have thought we

were the "epitome of cool" back then!  If I remember correctly, it would have

been my first time to drive to that beach resort, and we did it without

cell phones and GPS systems.  You can be sure, that our mothers were at 

home praying for all of us.

 

And now, here we were, the same group, some 45 years later.

 Three of us, in the same year as above, before another road trip to the same beach destination.

Now, 45 years later.

 

Times are different now, then they were back then.  The pigtails have been replaced with

new hairstyles.  Perhaps we have gleaned more wisdom and maturity since those days. 

We have walked through separate journeys in each of our lives.  We have weathered storms, 

learned through the parenting years, survived some painful heartaches, and found great

joy in our faith.

For some of us, we are in the grand parenting years, and in the midst of the

aging of our own parents.  At the end of our time together, we all agreed, that we

were so blessed to all have our health and presence of mind.  What a gift!

 

And, we had our friendships still in tact, after all those many years.

 

Today, I want to remind you to stop and look at those around you, whether your family,

or your friends.  Acknowledge them, spend time with them, and most of all, treasure them.

In rare cases, it may be a long time until you see them again.  It may be 45 years.  Life

does that sometimes.

You too, may someday have the unique joy, of

again sitting with them and catching up on all that life has dealt you.

 

Believe me, this was a memorable morning, and one that I will treasure

in my heart for a long time to come.

 

Happy Saturday to you!