This morning I called the pharmacy I ve been going to for 15 or more years. When I got through I heard "Jason speaking." I immediately flashed to 6 years ago when Jason was a pharmacist there and wondered if it was the same Jason. I said "Good morning Jason, its Botoni calling would you please prepare some - - - - - for me to pick up later." Jason said "Just a moment while I check your file." Then he said "Oh, I know you. "
We chatted for just a few minutes. It was so very good to talk with him once more. I was actually excited to hear Jason and looking forward to seeing him. Over the next few hours my mind travelled through the events that had passed by in those six years and wondered about the events in Jasons life. Although Jason and I never socialized together we always had short pleasant conversations when he worked there before. I considered him a friend and remember regretting when he left before. I remembered thinking I shouild have invited him for coffee and wished I d continued the friendship.
I went about my many routines but my mind was filtering th things I would share with Jason. The things that were inconsequential, the things that might have meaning to him, the thinks that might be personal to me but maybe he would like to know. Sometimes I think life passes along and not much more than the mundane really happens. As the inventory of events started running up I reallized there has been a lot. Itemized the list looked like this.
Moe died only days after Jason left the pharmacy.
I fell in love.
A lot of travelling ensued.
A relationship developed.
A lot of trauma happened.
I fell out of love.
Two new grandchildren had arrived.
A huge family reunion.
My mothers 90th birthday.
I bought a house.
Gardening was rediscovered.
Some age related medical things developed.
Renovations on the house began.
Two vans were sold.
A new van purchased.
My client base changed.
New friends gained.
Old friends moved away.
Work changed.
Collections expanded.
Collections reduced.
Maybe life hasnt been as static as I thought. I didnt even consider sharing all the changes. Cuiriousity took over instead. What changes had happened in Jasons life? What would he share?
When Jason saw me he came around the counter and threw his arms around me. How wonderful it felt! How quickly I realized he had missed me too. We had a few minutes. I was anxious to know his news. He shared with me that he would only be working the occasional Saturday at the pharmacy. Then the paths crossing began. The job he took when leaving the pharmacy had no connections for me. I had moved on into a working world where our paths would never cross. Things changed for him though. Now he is employed in a clinic and in a hospital. The mutual connections are amazing. He works with doctors and social workers who I know and with whom I have worked. He works with a client base that I know well. His work mates are people that I see on a social level. We both were amazed at the number of people we mutually know. Equally amazed that our paths have not recrossed sooner. He moves with the same group of people I do.
An amazing reunion to both of us. This time we ll cultivate our friendship on a different level. I m aanxious for him to see my home. I want to be a fly on that proverbial wall when he goes to his regular job on Monday. I want to here our mutual friends react to knowing that Jason and I have been acquintances for years.
Do these things happen to you? Do you by coincidence or providence find reconnections with people who seem to have vanished? Have they changed? Have you changed? Have you inventoried the events of your past few years? What s different? How big are your changes?