Day Nineteen: A Hundred Years

"Promise you'll never forget me, ever. Not even when I'm a hundred." ~Winnie-the-Pooh quote

Some people fit seamlessly into your life. From the moment you meet, your soul whispers, "Oh, there you are. I've been waiting for you" and the connection feels as if it was always there, dormant until your paths finally crossed. I am so very blessed to have experienced this repeatedly over the course of my life. And while I may not speak with them on a regular basis, when I do it is always as if no time has passed. These are the people I refer to as my tribe. Many of them are not blood relatives, but that does not diminish their "family" status at all.

I know this has been dominating my thoughts, of late, because of the holiday that's just around the corner. Some of them I will get to see at Thanksgiving, but most of my tribe is scattered hither and yon, and I'll be left to wonder what their celebrations will entail. I miss them, so I tuck memories of times spent together around me like a warm, winter coat. I offer up extra prayers at night before I drift off to sleep; prayers of well-wishes, health and joy. To all of my tribe who are far away, I love you. I miss you. My eyes leak as emotions for my tribe in Heaven are too strong to hold back...my mama, mama Schaefer, Aunt Mattie, my son...the list is long, the ache still powerful and fresh. Those of you without a tribe of your own, I strongly encourage you to create one...big or small, those connections help stabilize the foundation of your life. I am happy to be able to reach down deep and feel those strong bonds holding tight, undaunted by space, time, or proximity. Even death cannot severe them because once they've taken hold, they are a part of who you are. "It's hard to explain how a few precious things seem to follow throughout all our lives...", but they absolutely do, and rarely are they "things". May your weekend be filled with more "joy" than your cup can hold.

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