zero360/music

Fly By Night

Oct 28, 2007 sojourn

Every now and then, in the midst of what seems a whirlwind, a sense of calm shows itself through the chaos. Most often it’s the wit, wisdom or encouragement my wife bestows on me. Sometimes the unbridled joy and innocence of one of our children helps make me realize dreams are for everyone.

Yesterday, I got a note from a friend I hadn’t heard from in while. She shared lots of news, some good, some not so good. The fact she wrote was a total shot in the arm. Then my wife mentioned talking to friend of many years who we don’t see much anymore, they’d had a meaningful personal conversation despite the lapse in time since they last spoke. I don’t know about you, but in a time when it’s easy to lose touch with family in the same household, being able to count on friends to share their lives and listen to what’s going on in ours is a priceless commodity.

I’ve had many fly by night friends, matter of fact, I’ve been one myself. Maybe it’s because I’ve recently experienced loss, or my body’s more frequent alerts of its ever decreasing flexibility and strength, but I’m more aware of gaps in my life, both mine and those I do a less than adequate job of filling. I want to be careful to not go to any extremes, but I also want to take a more active roll in being real with my loved ones, friends and anyone with needs I’m able to serve. Not that I can befriend all with whom I come into more than casual contact with, but increase my willingness to act upon conviction.

It’s almost Thanksgiving again, first one without my father. In the past we’ve done our part to share beyond the norm to bless a family or an organization that helps those in need. This year I hope we (our family) will dig deeper and commit to an even greater level of service, even sacrifice, in order that others might enjoy a meal, receive some clothing or fundamental things like toiletries, grooming items, maybe a gift of something non-essential that rekindles joy they haven’t know for a long time. Let this be the year I go to another level of understanding in what it means to give outside my comfort zone and watch the blessing impact far beyond my limited scope of intent.