Connection is a common theme here on the LIRLIN blog. Back in April of 2017 I wrote, “Connection is vital to our own growth and we have a responsibility to find people to connect with so that we can move through the world together, hopefully making it a better place.”
I am married to the ultimate connector. Suann is amazing when it comes to spending time with folks and finding that which connects them. She can do this just about anywhere: fourteen years ago we were at a first communion of one of my students and Suann discovered she worked in the same nursing home (in Latham NY) where the aunt of another guest was a resident; eleven years ago at a colleague’s wedding (in Westport, Connecticut) Suann ended up dancing with a woman who worked with Suann’s aunt and grandmother in a hospital in Troy NY; in Hawaii, yes, Hawaii, we were sharing a table at a luau and Suann met a young man who lived in San Diego and knew an old college friend of Suann’s. The list goes on. Put simply, Suann loves people. Which is interesting since I’m much less of a people person. I enjoy people, sure, and while I’m not shy, I am an introvert. Time spent socializing requires equal time recharging and cogitating. I have become very comfortable hanging out at home. With Suann. With the dogs. That’s not to say I don’t have meaningful relationships - I have wonderful folks in my life, who make me think, who make me laugh, who push me to be better, who believe in me and my belief that love is the answer.
I turned 54 last week and was reminded by Facebook that in my 50th year I visited more than 50 independent bookstores. It got me thinking about my 55th year. Was there anything I could challenge myself to do, outside my comfort zone, that would enrich my life purposefully?
I’m still working on the details but here’s where I’m starting: my address book is full of people I send Christmas cards to but don’t see, people I have spent time with previously but haven’t, for whatever reason, seen enough of recently; people who, whether they know it or not, have all been an important part of my journey. My goal? 55 meaningful connections from the past.
Why? Because connections help us grow, they help us heal, they remind us we are not alone in the world. But mostly because my life has been full of wonderfully kind humans. It's time to reconnect.
LIFE IS RANDOM LOVE IS NOTTM
LIFE IS RANDOM LOVE IS NOTTM
