The Moments that make up Our Lives

I just received a monthly newsletter in the mail from an old high school friend. I get these every month and I always look forward to seeing what's going on in the life of him and his wife. What makes it more special though, is that at the bottom of every newsletter he always writes a short note to me. He makes some reference to something that is going on in my life that he has heard about and wishes me the best. At this point, since he's living in another state, this is our only means of communication throughout the year. Sometimes I think I take for granted how special just a simple sentence or two can be to someone. High school feels like ages ago, and you couldn't pay me enough to go back, however I did meet some very quality people there in the halls and classrooms of NorthWood. Some I have lost touch with, others I talk to from time to time, and there's just a few that I still see on a regular basis. Just today I saw a picture of a girl I went to high school with that I had forgotten about. I wasn't great friends with her, but we had mutual friends and always had a good time together. I know that in the last few years she's had some troubled times, but as I looked at her picture today I thought "wow, I have no idea who she is anymore. Even where she is. It feels as if I never even knew her." I'm sure that she would feel the same way if she came across my picture. What amazes me though is that the person I get the newsletters from - I think of him on a regular basis, especially when I receive the newsletters. And the girl - I have almost forgotten about her on accident. But still - they have a connection to me. They both keep me grounded. They have rooted me into this Northern Indiana life and they don't even know it. When I see their faces, I think of my past, a past that connects me to Nappanee. No matter where I end up.