It was a busy Friday yesterday when out of the blue, I received a phone call, in the middle of a session with my learners. It was Nenalyn, one of my dearest high school friends. She arranged a meet up with our high school classmates.
It was fortunate that only Marian (another bff in high school, and the three of us were thick as thieves back then) came. We had an intimate exchange that day along with so much food to burst us… and so much stories shared.
I was moved to tears by the experience. Connecting, really connecting with other persons especially those quite dear to you are special moments. I realized how much I missed my high school friends. And I also realized how much I missed the girls who made high school bearable (I was a neurotic competitive control freak even then).
I also realize that the limits we imposed upon ourselves are the only limits that truly caged us. I have been avoiding them for a lot of reasons yes, pride being the topmost reason but letting go of pride at times allows you to reach out to other people and allows you to see the beauty of life, the purpose of living – not to amass countless accolades, recognition, control or power…
I long for more of such connections. Simple connections among friends while eating siomai, talking openly and warmly about the past… that poignant experience can even bring tears to my eyes at present.
I do not enjoy them often but when I do, I treasure them dearly in my heart. Truly, when the heart is engaged, even a simple, short reunion in a common place becomes the most celebrated of memories.
It’s like I keep seeing the past interspersed with the present and it keeps giving me a glimpse of a wonderful future with them. Since they are still single too, we plan to meet up again when Nenalyn comes home after two years, some place where we can bond and enjoy life to its fullest.
