Better Than Old Times!

The evening went by so fast yesterday and the dawn came as quickly this morning. The past two evening’s night sleep has gone by in a flash. I’m not certain what to attribute this to but my suspicion I is the fact about playing golf with my dear friends had something to do with it. This morning would be a day of rest from running but I still found myself awake early ready for the day. We had another tee time this morning and today a person from my past would be joining us. This is the same person I wrote about a few weeks ago when I first heard their name mentioned. I am NOT big into the whole “coincidence” thing and by the same token I don’t view this as “sign”. I do believe things happen for a reason and there are people in my life for a reason as well. This was a person who I was very friendly with but hadn’t spoken to in nearly four years.

The reason why we haven’t spoken had everything to do with my misdeeds since we were both employers of the same company. I didn’t expect anyone to line up in my defense because frankly that would have probably been “career suicide” for anyone who undertook that. It certainly does not bother me in the least that people I thought I was “friends” with have not tried to contact me in over four years. This certainly goes to the category of “it is what it is.” There have been a few people from my past who I have stayed in contact with and for this I am eternally grateful. This particular person and I had a “history” together and I wanted to reach out and see how this person was doing.

I was speaking with my wife earlier this week about whether I should or should not place the telephone call to this person. There was hesitation in my wife’s voice as to why I would want to reach out to this person and I think she was trying to protect my feelings. She didn’t want me to get hurt if the person did not respond in kind and of course I have to give my wife credit for her concern. I assured her that the worst case scenario really wasn’t that bad and I would be okay with any of the outcomes. In my mind the worst case scenario would have me speak with this person and this person and this person would tell me off. I didn’t believe that was a possibility and even if it were so be it.

I did place the call which led to today’s wonderful round of golf with three exceptional friends. I made my way to the golf course early this morning and I was the first to arrive. After a few minutes I noticed the person I hadn’t spoken to in nearly four years pull up and then I saw this person walk over to me. It didn’t take long but smiles were on both of our faces and I was greeted with a great big bear hug!! It was hard to imagine that four years had gone by since we last saw or talk to one another because it did feel like just yesterday. As the day progressed and we talked it most certainly felt like only a few weeks had gone by NOT four years. I will continue to say this and it is so true; I am blessed with so many wonderful people in my life and today I felt so comfortable with this person that was on the “other side” when all the sh… hit the fan nearly four years ago.

The golf itself wasn’t exactly easy since I chose one of the hardest courses in the area but the conversations flowed very easily all day long. I was treated to the round of golf and I was treated to lunch as well. I didn’t expect this in the least bit but was very grateful. As far as golf goes the round was on the long side but for the first time it didn’t feel like a 5 hour round of golf because we had four years of catching up to do. Additionally, my good friends from Las Vegas hadn’t seen this person in the same amount of time and everyone got along great. I would like to say it was just like old times but that would be an understatement because it was BETTER than old times. Back in the “day” my mind was churning every which way but today I was present and accounted for all day long. I am so glad I made that telephone call and I am so happy I had the opportunity to reconnect with a friend.

The weekend of golf with dear friends had come to a close as we said our goodbyes. It is funny how things work over the years and how well everything continues to work out in my life. I am eternally grateful to recovery because I am getting the opportunity for a second chance and it is my intention to make the best of this second chance in every way possible. Today was a huge stride in the right direction of this second chance and I owe it all to recovery.