solar systems and memories

reunions

Children tend to see themselves at the center of the solar system with everything revolving around them. (I know lots of adults with the same view so perhaps it’s actually more universal to human behaviour). My parents constantly remided me that was a distortion of reality but it was the experience.

My childhood focused on two different places overseas, Colombia (twice, no less) and Thailand. I would not trade those experiences for all the emeralds or star sapphires in the world.

This year marks forty-nine and fifty years, respectively, since I lived in each. No, Cynthia, seriously? Yes, 1973 was a big year, departing Don Muang Airport fifty years ago this month.

Our experiences aren’t about pretty or ugly places but about the people we associate with those places. Some of those people were friends and some acquaintances. Some went on to be famous and most of us went on to be important in the lives of spouses and children and grandchildren.

The International School of Bangkok has its biennial reunion this weekend. I would not likely go to Florida in August otherwise. But, I definitely want to see Carol and catch up with others who form such a central picture from my solar system.

So, we are away later this morning to recreate memories. It won’t work quite that way as you cannot the past is just that—over. You can perhaps capture some feelings but life is intended to be nothing but change. Buddha definitely got that part right: nothing is permanent. I might amend that idea: nothing but the desire to capture something we cannot actually rein in. It’s one of those delicious ironies that keep people fantasising.

The sun is not up over the Chesapeake yet so I have no photograph from here yet. I can offer the beauty of a flower that also represents such joy much as memories do. Have a good, safe weekend.

Such a privilege making it to this point.FIN