Old school

It's always interesting to see people you don't normally see on a daily basis. I did that recently by going to one of the local watering holes and meeting up with some folks from high school.

We were mainly there since one of the group was in town for various graduations, weddings and other assorted upcoming trips. Another classmate drove across the country to RehabLand to pick up some relatives and head on out to a destination wedding.

The weather was glorious so we sat outside and just enjoyed the weather.

As usual, there are some curious dynamics. Many of the folks who were there are school teachers and assorted professionals. One is a housewife who raises animals for sale (chickens and pure breed dogs). Another person worked in health care on the administrative side. We had a nice long conversation.

But simmering beneath the surface, is always  something. While I had that long conversation, I realized that some people are nursing grudges that are nearly 30 years old. I kept my therapeutic communication hat on, but later, the nurse appeared.

"You have options. You can let it sit there and drive you crazy, or you can do something about it and let it go. You are not where you grew up. It's only a part of you. What you choose to do with it, is your choice."

I don't think she really ever understood it that way, before.

And so we took off into the night, and left our erstwhile waiter a big tip. Because after all, we did take up his table forever.

More to come...