Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Old Friends

Way back in the late summer of 1970 I bought a $5.00 ticket for a Greyhound bus and I headed to Detroit, Michigan.  My destination was a Franciscan college called Duns Scotus.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into that day.  The whole summer of 1970 I was living the hippie life while having a sense that God was chasing after me.  I was somewhat relieved when I arrived at the seminary and discovered there were other students with long hair and even some of the priests and brothers were hippies.  While I was there I became good friends with one of the brothers who was only a few years older than me.  We have been friends ever since although we have lost one another at times.  The recent death of my friend, Father Dennis, re-connected me with some of my friends from those days.  The young brother who befriended me in 1970 is at the monastery this week on a retreat.  Tomorrow I am driving there to spend a day with him.  Although we have corresponded over the years I think it’s been 25-30 years since we have actually seen one another.  1970 was 43 years ago so we are no longer young men at the beginning of our lives and spiritual journeys.  This friendship is one of many I have where years can go by, little communication can take place, and when you are once again reunited it is as though no time has passed at all.  When I arrive at the monastery tomorrow and we see one another, the years that have passed will seem as no more than a few days or weeks.  We have so much to talk about with one another.  I am sure it will be a day that we will both enjoy and remember for many years to come.  Old friendships should be treasured.  It is a comfort to have people in your life who have known you for a very long time and who accept you as your are.  

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