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Locked In

 Today is the birthday of one of my oldest friends.  We met in line getting our I.D. badges made in college.  I guess we had been at school a day or two at that point.  That was over 30 years ago and here we are.  Both hitting 50.  Life has moved, changed, continued and gone on.

When I think about my old friends, ones I've known since young adulthood and even childhood, I often think about how we're the same but different.  Our spirits and general nature stays the same, but often our behaviors and dispositions get a little more fluid.  

I know women who were feisty spitfires as girls who are now fierce Mama Bears and conscientious movers and shakers in their careers.  I know gentle-spirited women who have raised very sweet, empathic children. I've seen friendly spirited, charismatic dudes become very good at selling the world and selling themselves.  I've seen shy guys come into their own in middle age and quiet women become ferocious in their change-making.  

I've reacquainted with people I barely knew as a youth, but thought I did, only to realize I didn't at all. I've watched how the world has changed people, even myself, for the good and for the bad.

All good things.  All necessary people.  All of us making the world go 'round.

I was reading a book recently in which a friend reminds another that they sat on the couch and watched the moon landing together.  He spoke about how whenever someone mentioned the moon landing he thought of that old friend.  "You and me, kid.  We're locked together in the history of that moment."

I think more and more about the moments I've remembered through my life.  The newsworthy ones are the easiest to digest, and even though some might be strange to hear, we've all got our personal touchstones:

*The Gulf War starting in 1991

*The Rodney King riots

*Bill Clinton's Inauguration

*The Oklahoma City bombing

*The death of Kurt Cobain

*The OJ Simpson Bronco chase

*The death of Michael Hutchence

*The death of Dale Earnhardt

*9/11

*The Michael Jackson not-guilty verdict

*The death of Michael Jackson

*The Ferguson riots

*The death of Chris Cornell

*The defeat of Hilary Clinton

*The assassination attempt on Trump

It might be a random bunch of moments or it might be totally relatable.  Everyone has their own. And I'm not even talking about the "biggies" like when your kid was born or you grandmother died or you got married.  I'm just thinking about the big newsy stuff at the moment. And I remember who I was with, how we responded, what we talked about.  

And then there's the cluster of all the other things.....Kurt Vonnegut, curry fries, jelly shoes, Lake Junaluska, the Grease movies, comic books, Edith Wharton, skateboard hair, Eugene O'Neill, Spandau Ballet, used bookstores, Brad Delp, The Clash, friendship bracelets, Miss Saigon, "Beth" by Kiss, Fireball shots, Franklin Boulevard, Kate's Skating Rink, sand volleyball and on and on and on.....

All these things.  So many memories.  So many times and places.  All in our hearts.  You and me, kid.  We're locked in for life.  Even from standing in that long, hot line waiting to get an ID picture taken.  We're still locked in.  I'm glad I met you that day.  I'm glad you kept me.  I'm glad I kept you.

Happy Birthday, Old Friend.  

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