The Blessed Encounter- Things I Wish My Younger Self Knew- Lesson 5

People come and go into our lives through different seasons. Some are meant to stay, but some are only there briefly. It is through these encounters and experiences that we learn about ourselves. We also have the opportunity to learn from our connections and from the people who fill our hearts.

The Blessed Encounter

I stopped to admire the beautiful handmade scarves at the craft fair when I saw her. 

I wondered, “Did she remember me?” “If I say hello, will she know who I am?” 

I suddenly fell into my shell of insecurity, questioning what to do. Maybe I should slip away before she sees me, or I could keep looking at the scarves and hope she doesn’t see me to avoid awkward moments of her trying to recognize me. 

As all these thoughts ran through my head, we made eye contact. 

“OH! MY! GOODNESS!. She exclaimed as a huge smile appeared across her face. 

“BRIDGET!” She yelled as she ran to me and gave me a big hug. 

My body relaxed, and my heart exploded with love as we embraced. 

We held each other for a while, almost as if to make up for the 18 years we had lost. I didn’t want to let go of that hug. I just wanted to relish in that moment just a little bit longer. 

When we stepped back to look at each other, we said simultaneously, “I think of you so often.”

For some minutes, we talked and tried to catch up on the years we missed. But we both knew that we would not be able to capture 18 long years in those few minutes. But there was one thing we could seize- the deep emotions of gratitude for that encounter. 

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou

 

There is no natural way to explain the genuine emotions of that meeting.  I was overwhelmed and also in disbelief because I thought a moment like that would not happen. I wondered what made me go to that fair that day- it was not close by, and it was in a city I rarely ventured to anymore.  However, as I played it back in my mind, I let go of the questions and let the gratitude of that afternoon’s blessing seep in.  

Some people come into your life for seasons, and this person was in my life frequently for one chapter. But when it abruptly ended, so did many relationships. Like so many other people of that time, she disappeared, not necessarily on purpose but by circumstance. 

It isn’t easy when those seasons end because we may not be ready to let go of the people who were constantly present in our lives at that time. 

We may only sometimes remember what they said or how we interacted, but we do remember how they made us feel. And those feelings are what I think about when I remember that time. 

 

Dear Younger Self, 

In the great tapestry of life, we often forget that our journey doesn’t happen in isolation. Every connection, every encounter, and every shared moment has the power to leave an indelible mark. 

Life has a way of weaving people in and out of our stories, like changing seasons. Some are meant to fill a brief and beautiful chapter, while others become lifetime companions. 

As you welcome new connections and say goodbye to others, cherish the experiences and growth you gain from each person, no matter how long they stay. 

Embrace the ebb and flow of relationships with an open heart. Each encounter adds a unique color to your masterpiece, no matter how brief.