When the Smoke Clears

While others were rushing to the malls for after Christmas sales, I was rushing around the Sunshine State to meet up with peeps. Starting off, I had the distinct honor of meeting the classy Jean of Ponderings. I thought I would only get a few minutes, but I was enjoying the conversation so much I think it lasted about an hour. We were able to comfortably tease each other about birthplaces, since she grew up in a rural setting elsewhere but has acclimated entirely to the Florida life over the last 30+ years. All I could do was listen intently. Something about her just drew me in when I managed to shut up myself and get to hear about her life and what brought her here.

What great determination this fine lady has. And she is a fine-electronics buff. It’s nice to know she’ll build me one of these, though she doesn’t know yet because I haven’t asked her directly.

Then a trip to the other side of the state, where I met one casual friend for a few minutes, someone I see once every year or two. We aren’t that close but for some reason we keep being determined to run into each other.

Then another highlight in an already good day: time at a pub with That1Guy. Granted, the pub was near a mall, which meant traffic was terrible, but I ensconced myself in a large booth and spread out my books and got my buzz on before he arrived. By the time he got there, he caught up with me in volume quickly, though not in effects.

We were waiting for Tammi, whom I had hoped to get some time with, but circumstances with her auto purchase held that in check. T1G is one of those people everyone naturally gravitates towards, and I’m glad to have him in my life. He’s a great friend whom I’ll go out of my way to spend a little time laughing with.

But Tammi did finally show in all her tall glory. I only had a few minutes but enjoyed hearing of the complicated troubles of her auto purchase. Seriously. Don’t let her say “long-story-short.” The long story is worth every moment. It also gave me time to get completely sober.

THEN it was a mad dash from there farther south along the gulf coast to meet up with one of my young ones, one of my favorites, actually. We met up in a parking lot then off to a bar to sit for a little bit and catch up. In the lot were a bunch of teenagers sitting out in their pickups talking, hanging out, goofing off. I figured he’d be with them, but he was well away. I asked if he knew them. He said that he did, but that they are in completely different worlds now. They are only concerned about hell-raising and whatever they can get for free either by stealing or getting their parents to give it to them.

He used to be a part of that crowd. He’s grown so far beyond that in a short time. I was proud, even a little watery-eyed when he told me he became a medic because of me, but this eclipsed that pride.

There are STILL good men and women entering adulthood every day.

So it was a full day devoted to meeting and talking with interesting people about whom I care. Yeah, that’s a good day.

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