Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Old Friends

Every once in awhile, I get a hankering to try and track down my old friends from days gone by. Now, please keep in mind that the "Friends" characters in the photo to the left are not the "old friends" I am speaking about as they are simply just an example of what I am speaking about. I could only wish I were that popular... then again... maybe not.

I have memories of friends from my old high school, my old church youth group not to mention from my old university days in the state of Tennessee. Now if this were before the advent of sites such as Google (Go Google!), the chances of me tracking down these authors of my old memories would have been an exercise in futility.

So... Yesterday, instead of banging on my drum, I was perusing through Google plus other avenues in search of an old youth pastor of mine, and old really good female friend from university as well as a couple of male buddies from university as well. Please keep in mind that the term "old" was used to describe not the people involved but instead the fact that they were associated with me many moons ago and so "yep," a few misplaced modifiers there!

I chose these individuals to search because of what they meant to me over the years. Dean, my youth pastor back in the seventies was someone I looked up to. He never made us feel that we were ever a burden to him or just a job that he was being paid to do. He loved being around us and it showed. I can't really recall any specific experiences with him and our youth group but I will never forget him simply because he made me feel important to him.

Kelly, my friend in university was someone who accepted me and loved me for who I was. We were never in a relationship but quite simply... we were "buds." Randy, Larry and David were three compadres who, though were much older than I, were guys who didn't choose their friends based on their age or status. Randy and Larry were two bosses of mine while David was a co-worker.

So far, I have tracked down two of them. My former youth pastor is now pastoring a church in the state of New York while Kelly is a physiotherapist in the state of New Mexico. David got back to me to inform me that he was not the "David" that I was looking for. Hopefully Randy and Larry will resurface as well.

So... Why do I go back in time and try to renew old acquaintances? I am not really sure other than the fact that I really appreciated them back then and maybe, just maybe, they could do with a friendly face every once in awhile letting them know that they were and still are appreciated. I know that when someone from my past makes contact, I appreciate it!

16 comments:

sandy said...

Older memories and friends are great. I have lot touch with almost all of them.

enjoyed the post and hope you find more of them.

Thanks for the comment on the carnival glass. I enjoyed doing it and it was fun to see you had traveled back that far.

sandy

Anonymous said...

I have lost track of so many people. Some I have found and am glad I did, thers I realize were lost for a reason!

Lori Stewart Weidert said...

I think this is wonderful. It's nice to remind people that they had an impact on your life. Really, how many of us have any idea? Hope you find all of them!

Janice Thomson said...

Hope you find the others too. Such a neat idea looking them up! A neat surprise for them too.

Jazz said...

It's great that you're finding these people... Good for you.

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

What a thrill to find old friends. Good luck with the last two.

none said...

That's great!

I hope you can rekindle some old friendships.

Ruth W. said...

Great post Dave, I have been on the search for old friends also. In fact, I'm searching for what friendship is!! Been stung a few times lately.

Good luck in your search.

Wanda said...

What a great way to spend a day.

We went to my husband's 50 yr class reunion ~~ some of those people he had not seen since High School.

Hope you find some more!!

geewits said...

Wow. I thought I was the only person that did this. Two summers ago I got to spend an evening with a friend from fourth grade and her big sister and brother-in-law. The BIL was my brother's friend as children and I don't even remember not knowing him. I love how some connections are so good. Or re-connections I guess. I've also called old friends and it was a real downer. Those are fewer though, so that's good. I'm just glad to know I'm not the only person that randomly finds old friends.

Anonymous said...

Is it just me, or did a post on pen pals disappear?

Portia said...

I do the same thing, although I rarely find who I'm looking for. I also had youth group leader (similar to your youth pastor) who pops in my mind often and I would love to tell her what a difference she made.
Good luck with your search!

heiresschild said...

hi Dave, i think it's good that you've had people who've made such an impact in your life that you'd want to reconnect. i'm sure they're appreciative, and i also hope you find the other two people you're looking for.

Jo said...

Dave, wow! That is amazing. I think it's wonderful to keep in touch with old friends.

I'm going to a reunion in my home town in May, and I'm looking forward to seeing a whole bunch of people.

sandy said...

I just did a drawing of Rachel..why?? Because in a thrift store I found the commemorative farewell book with pics and exit interviews!! Thought of your post when I was drawing her.

sandy

David Kim said...

Old friends are the best friends methinks. I wish we could all keep in touch, but it's just too hard and time-consuming to keep in touch with everyone.