The Appreciateur: Liker of Stuff and Things

Major life transitions are weird.

When much of what was certain suddenly becomes more fluid and uncertain we find ourselves looking back for something more solid and grounding.

Lately I have been going down this path of the past and rediscovering much what was good is still there. I’ve been reaching out through social media and have been humbled and comforted by the responses, reactions, and caring of people from all of the various eras of my life.

The other day I reached out to an old friend on LinkedIn, the only place I could find where she’d been active recently. She called me back yesterday and we talked for almost two hours. It felt like no time had passed, even though we haven’t seen each other in person since 2004. Our last communication was a brief text exchange on Instagram in 2021.

We’ve known each other since the late 80’s. We even went to homecoming together in 1990. We’ve only been tangentially part of each other’s lives over the decades. Yet every time we do reconnect, it is like no time has passed.

This is who I am.

I am the once and future friend.

I’m the pal who you can call/message/email after six months, six years, or three decades. Do you need a conversation, a cup of coffee, a drink (non-alcoholic for me), a shoulder? I am that guy.

Once you are my friend, you’re always my friend.

Life may scatter us in different directions, but friendship with me doesn’t have an expiration date. It may be on pause for a few months or years, but it is still there.

Morning coffee and memories from the 1900s.

See the Constellation” has been stuck in my head for the last 24 hours!

Feeling nostalgic for the mid 90s. This was a great show In Cleveland in 1994… I think.

“Just a guy made of dots and lines…” youtu.be/sAlusliGv…

Starting the day right! Morning coffee and fresh air outside. Morning mile on the hotel treadmill rucking and reading. Now it is overnight oats and day 9 of the work trip. It has been a busy week and starting the day acive in mind and body definitely helps!

Morning hotel coffee and some fresh air.

Day 6 of the work trip, and it’s starting to feel like it.

Been 50 years old for 84 days. Proud father for 15 years. Been separated and single for 15 days. Almost married for 19 years.

She is still my best friend, and I want her dreams to be fulfilled. Our life paths are diverging now, and that’s hard. I’ve felt it coming for a long time, and I believe it will ultimately be better for both of us, but that doesn’t make it easier or any less painful in the moment.

Still here. Still standing.

I don’t know what’s next, but I’m headed there.