Blessed Be The Ties That Bind

The title words are those of a hymn that we would sing after communion when I was a kid. We'd hold hands across the aisle and the experience of "breaking bread together" in the presence of God would bind us together. At least that was what I felt.
Today I'm thinking of other binding ties. Friends. I value and appreciate the friendships with kids I met when I was younger. We may have met in school or college or during a summer away. Maybe we met as young adults. Wherever the meeting, there are some I still have connections with and the friendships are deeper. There are unspoken memories. There are memories we do talk of...a particular teacher or a particular experience we remember. These people are parts and parcels of who I am today. We share common threads in the tapestry of our lives. How rich I feel when I reconnect and I still enjoy the person! There are others I have a history with, but no present. I've tried and there's nothing there. It's like a misfire. Others, you meet again and you just pick up where you left off.
I cherish these friendships with a history. I feel rich. I feel deeper and I enjoy the opportunity to reconnect as "oldsters" and "wisers". I enjoy asking questions and getting to "reknow" the person.
If the tie still binds, what a gift. If we've changed and no longer have the tie, we let go. It's part of life. I can tell almost immediately.
As I age, I no longer spend time with people I have no feeling for. I protect my time. It's fulfilling to know that I can chose how I spend it. It's freeing to have figured out what matters to me.
Friends who share a history with me matter to me. God bless each one of you.