I am standing in this picture with a former parishioner from my pastoral ministry in Illinois.  He was in 7th grade when I moved east to Maryland.  Now he has completed High School and is in the National Guard.  He and his grandparents arrived yesterday for a visit.  Jon and I had grown very close to each other during the 5 years I was his pastor.  It has been great to be reunited with him and his grandparents.  What I am reminded of when I look at this picture is how connections we make with some people stand the test of time and distance.  When he arrived we picked up connecting with each other as if it had only been a few days since we last saw each other.

Working with patients I often find patients who have an important person from their past that they wish they could see again.  This reunion has let me experience the joy of being reunited.  Now I can feel emotionally rather than just understand intellectually the feelings they are experiencing with the desire to be reunited.  For all of you who long to meet up with someone you have not seen for awhile, I encourage you step forward and make plans.  You will be glad you did!