Reunion Formula…
Reunion Formula (Beens + Brews + Bites + Babes + Blues = Till Next Time)
I got to spend an evening with two of my oldest friends recently. I went through so much with these two during the earlier years of our lives. What a blessing to see them again after so long. We shared so many… interesting experiences growing up. That I cannot begin to share them.
But the reunion was so special I thought I might share just a few observations about such reunions in general. Of course there is no way to make up for years of separation in such a short time. But we always have to find a place to start.
Thing usually start with the “beens”… How have you been? Where have you been? How long has it been? Has it really been that long? What have you been doin? Who have you been doin it with? How have they been?
The beens can go on and on… and often tend to spread or feed on another. I have been great! How have you been? I’ve been in Michigan. Have you been round here? Oh wow… you’ve been there?!?
I don’t think the beens ever really end. They seem to run on and resurface throughout the night!
The beens are never through when the next part of the formula is typically introduced. Brews…
Would you like something to drink? Some feel the brews must be alcoholic… but that certainly does not have to be the case. One can always brew some tea or brew some coffee. It is truly hard to beat a glass of iced tea with some good company. I find most of the time the libations are primarily just to keep the mouth from drying out too much from talking and laughing.
And Brews are often followed very closely with Bites…
Want a bite to eat? Oh you have got to try this… (fill in the blank). Food is certainly not required… but like the brews they tend to get introduced to the mix at some point.
The next element comes in more flavors than the previous two. Babes…
For guys… the first Babe thrown into the mix is usually the wife/wives/significant others. Of course the order changes significantly if the Babes are physically present in the mix. But either way… both men and women end up talking a great deal about partners on such occasions.
The next flavor of Babes to be brought into the mix… is usually the kids. How is your son? How is your daughter? Do you have… how many do you have? How old are they? What are they up to? This can tend to dominate conversations for some time. Our kids are such an important part of our lives that we often share extensively about our journey as parents… grandparents.
And then there are the more adventurous flavors of babes from the past… that can sometimes also be babes of the current/future as well. Hey… “do you remember that chick that used to dance a lot? Every night she’d be shaken what she’s got. Man… when I tell you she was cool… she was red hot… I mean she was steamin”… Thin Lizzy… The Boys Are Back In Town.
It is hard to talk about old times… without old flames coming up in the mix. This can especially be the case for widowers and divorcees. But let’s face it… first loves… or just early subjects of adoration… create some strong memories. And talking about old times… with old friends… has a tendency to bring those memories back to mind. This does not need to be dirty or dangerous in any way. We all have those “memories” or “what-ifs” that typically remain as just that. But it sure can be fun to go back and visit. And with all the social media options… it can be fun to do a little “Where are they… what are they…how do they look…Now”?
And of course Babes… often lead to Blues…
Of course… there are many flavors of the blues as well. Sometimes the blues simply takes the form of reminiscing… or may even evolve into some happy/pleasant romanticizing! Of course there are also the more traditional blues… focusing on hard times… or difficult memories.
These can even become emotional for many. Again those emotions can be happy… just as they can be sad. And for most… THEY ARE BOTH! As a divorcee… I still share some very happy stories… although there is also a mix of others as well. I think for the widower…the swings can be even more extreme.
It is often really hard to look back on something that was so wonderful… that is no more… and can never be again (at least not in this life). These emotional scars are often as deep… or deeper than any physical injury can cause.
We all just pray we find ways to learn to live with this mix… somehow holding onto and celebrating the positive! While also accepting and dealing with the negative… in a positive way. Anybody got the magic balm for this? My personal poultice… is to apply a healthy dose of Faith… to feel the Trust and Hope that emanate from that faith.
Our evening… like so many blues tunes… helped us explore those difficult memories/times… while casting the warm light of love and friendship upon them… helping things to wrap up on a positive note!
There were so many wonderful times we have shared together. And even though we all face the physical/mental challenges of growing old. I think the consensus was… we still have some good times ahead.
Eventually the “beens” had been mixed with too many brews…and the bite of the babes and blues were shared/exchanged. We all transitioned back into the here and now… to look ahead at tomorrow… and Until Next Time!
I wouldn’t trade a night reminiscing with those dear friends for anything. Catching up on the Good the Bad and the Ugly… does a lot for my soul.
I regret not being able to catch up with more of my old friends… but what a blessing to catch up with those I could.
Hope this finds you spending time with those dear to you! I pray the spirit helps you appreciate that time… regardless of any difficult exchanges… knowing what a blessing we truly can be to one another! And if you do find yourself no longer able to be physically present with those dear to you… remember there will be a glorious reunion… somewhere in the days to come! See if my formula can be proven… or correct as you see fit!