I am in Kansas City, Mo today. I spent seven years of my life here. Many things happened in those seven years. New jobs were taken, my kids were born (in the exact same hospital room), purchased my first home and built many great relationships. I guess it could be mentioned that the beginning of my adult life found it's formation here.
I flew in late last night and met up with my good friend Nate Williams - @n8tronic. We hit up Steak n Shake for a total gut bomb and after an hour or so of playing catch up, I asked him to take me by some important places. It's been two years since I left. It is all familiar yet all very different at the same time. Signs of progress mark the city and it's great to see.
After about four hours of sleep, I met an old friend for breakfast. My contacts felt like FIRE in my eyes and my body screamed for 'more rest please!' However, it was more important to connect with my friend. *Don't ever let people become insignificant to you. It is a very dangerous place to be and could be an indicator that you are disconnecting from TRUE reality.
We had a great breakfast and the time together was as if we had never been apart. That is 'a' measure of a true friend. The ability to come together no matter the length of time that has passed and pick right back up as if you had been meeting each week. I've heard the excuse many times, 'Jesse, I don't have time to meet with people and build relationships.' Well, I guess we make time for what is important to us.
The irony of the trip is that in the midst of these positive feelings, I am actually here for a funeral. I will be speaking during the ceremony and as I collect some thoughts, I have come to realize that preparing to speak at a funeral could be the most difficult task assigned to anyone. What do you really say? How could anything you say have a positive effect on the people in attendance?
Cameron was 18 years old. He should have graduated Sunday. Unfortunately, life took a different direction. So, here I am in Kansas City - where so many positive, wonderful things of my past echo through my heart and I'm trying to separate those from the task at hand. It's not easy.
I am becoming increasingly aware of how quickly the memories of the past quickly fade as life progresses. There is always more to accomplish, work to be done, and plans to be made. What if we stopped for just a minute to take inventory of those people in our life and the memories in our past that were most meaningful? What if we took a moment and were truly thankful for those things? Why not do that right now and just let those things settle into your mind and heart?
What a great opportunity to honor your past and create excitement for your future.
Stretch yourself
Jesse
*Oh, I will definitely be having some KC BBQ tonight, I will keep you posted!
Giving myself away