Alone.

“Life is a mystery

Everyone must stand alone

I hear you call my name

And it feels like home.”

A friend of mine at work has told me many times, “you can miss many appointments, but there’s one you have no control over.” As funny as it seems, he is right! When it’s your time, you can’t say, “I’ll be there in a moment.” 

There is no denying, when it is our time, we will not be late; but until that time, it’s important to make the most of whatever time we have here with family, friends, and even strangers who may come into your life. Once you get to know them, they won’t be strangers—in the beginning everyone in our life was new to us. 

Over the past few weeks, I have met several new people. Most I have liked and am looking forward to becoming better friends with them. We, as they say, “seem to be on the same page.” Yesterday, I walked to the train with a new associate who just joined our company. I knew of the company where he had worked before, and asked him “what building they were in?” He said, “We were in the other elevator bank around the pillar and I worked there for 24 years.” What a weird experience—-I had never seen him before.

Many years ago, when I was interviewing for a job, I was talking with two separate companies who were both based on the same floor. I knew that both of the owners (they were small companies) were aware of the situation. Awkward. When I did join one of the companies, I had to walk down the hall and talk with the other owner letting her know my choice. (I did make the right choice—one went out of business a few short years later.) But it was still very weird.

Where I probably meet the most new people now is through photography. Since I do a lot of local work, people actually know who I am. Usually it’s, “Hey you’re the photographer who took the pictures at the play or something like that.” What makes it even more enjoyable, and this happened last night, is when you see someone who was in a performance and in his case has a disability—-and he got up on stage and “killed it.” I said to the boy’s Mom, “Your son was awesome in the play.” Pride spread across her face—it was pure love. 

The photo above was taken at this year’s Ringling Bros Circus; as this performer hung from well above the ground, it reminded me that in the end, “We must all stand alone.” Since no one wants to think about it, get out there and enjoy your moment--it's well worth it.

Thanks for stopping by.