Tonight I had dinner with a new friend- its funny how connection works- opening ourselves up to another, letting them into our lives, our thoughts, our worlds. Risking that they wont judge us. That they will accept us even though our stories are different. Choosing to take those risks.
In this case, it was an easy conversation that flowed as we talked about everything from professional passions to optimistic outlooks, shared interests and dysfunctional family life.. we compared faiths and life experience and goals and somewhere in the middle of a story he was telling about his housing situation he mentioned, rather off hand, that he and his long time girlfriend were recently in a "pretty serious car accident, and she didnt make it,"....
"She didnt make it,"....
"She didnt make it, and thats ok"
Then he smiled and continued with his story. He smiled because at times that's all we can do... and that smile is a choice. That smile is a celebration of memories, wrapped in the muscles of the mouth turning upward.
I dont think that his matter of fact response in anyway negates his love or feelings for her. In fact, I am quite positive that there isnt a day that passes that he doesnt miss her terribly. But he understands that this pain, this loss, is making him the man he will become. He is aware of the growth that can happen when we let go and dont let our heads fight with our hearts against the hard parts of life.
Bad days happen. Horrible things happen. People die. The world is rocked daily by death... greed... pain... hate... heartache... fear... but, as in everything, there is a balance that can be found if we choose to look for it, choose to search, choose perspective, choose to just let go- knowing that the course of this life has so much meaning. Choose to go on living through the times that simply put, suck. Choose to live each day grateful for the lives we have, the people we call our friends and family, the love we are able to give and at times receive.
..Choose to not only live, but live INSPIRED.
"She didnt make it, and thats ok"
I very much like my new friend.
In this case, it was an easy conversation that flowed as we talked about everything from professional passions to optimistic outlooks, shared interests and dysfunctional family life.. we compared faiths and life experience and goals and somewhere in the middle of a story he was telling about his housing situation he mentioned, rather off hand, that he and his long time girlfriend were recently in a "pretty serious car accident, and she didnt make it,"....
"She didnt make it,"....
"She didnt make it, and thats ok"
Then he smiled and continued with his story. He smiled because at times that's all we can do... and that smile is a choice. That smile is a celebration of memories, wrapped in the muscles of the mouth turning upward.
I dont think that his matter of fact response in anyway negates his love or feelings for her. In fact, I am quite positive that there isnt a day that passes that he doesnt miss her terribly. But he understands that this pain, this loss, is making him the man he will become. He is aware of the growth that can happen when we let go and dont let our heads fight with our hearts against the hard parts of life.
Bad days happen. Horrible things happen. People die. The world is rocked daily by death... greed... pain... hate... heartache... fear... but, as in everything, there is a balance that can be found if we choose to look for it, choose to search, choose perspective, choose to just let go- knowing that the course of this life has so much meaning. Choose to go on living through the times that simply put, suck. Choose to live each day grateful for the lives we have, the people we call our friends and family, the love we are able to give and at times receive.
..Choose to not only live, but live INSPIRED.
"She didnt make it, and thats ok"
I very much like my new friend.
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