I just heard from an old neighbor the other day.
When I say he was an old neighbor, I mean that he was old in years. He was old when I moved to Huckleberry Ridge and that was a long time ago. However, when we speak of people we haven't seen for a long time, we refer to our relationship as being old. This man fit into both categories.
It was a big surprise. I hadn't thought of him in years. In fact, I hadn't thought of him since I moved from Huckleberry Ridge to Sunny Lane. I was surprised that he even remembered me, let alone wanted to contact me.
He didn't have much to say. He did remind me that we used to give each other advice from time to time. I had forgotten that. What I did remember was that he was a good guy and I told him so. He returned the compliment.
His contact has been a source of wonder for me ever since. Little do we know the impact we are making on other people's lives. Sometimes we see a person briefly in a crowd and don't even speak to a person directly and she/he will remember us for what we said or for what we did. I've actually been impressed with people in just that way.
It's kind of a miracle the way people move in and out of our lives, leaving imprints on our hearts and minds. All of the impressions are not necessarily good, but they help to shape us into who we are.
I'm glad that man knew me during my mild-mannered family days and not my wild and wooly single days. He would have had a different opinion of me. And he might not have contacted me-- or even remembered me.
I think all of us can be glad when people forget the dumb things we did when we were young. We would like to forget them, too.
In my lifetime many people have been a part of it. Some have flitted through like butterflies and some have stayed for many years. Some have been nice people and some have been mean and cruel. I'm glad for the nice people, but I have no quarrel with the mean ones (including my older brother). I believe that dealing with mean people can either make you bitter or make you better. I think it has made me better.
I believe our hearts were made for loving, no matter what. Love always makes an impact.
Dorothy is the author of two books—“Miles and Miracles” and “Getting It All Together “. You can purchase a book or send a comment by emailing her at dorothybutzknight@gmail.com