Reminiscing . . .

Here’s a recent email I received from an old friend:

“I was going through my closet the other day and trying to decide what to do with all the wine glasses I collected from the wineries we visited. I am still trying to find a logical way to display them. As you know, the living room and kitchen are full of wine bottles (and some other booze, all part of my dedication to alcohol).

Anyway, I wanted you to know that although you have 1,000’s of friends, I really don’t have many and never wanted many. I really just like a few folks. Most others annoy me.

Anyway anyway, having said that, as I was looking through the glasses I realized that most of my best times over the last 8 years or so (and some of the best times of my life) were visiting you and going wine tasting…and it had nothing to do with the wine or the tasting, rather, the time spent talking, the scenery, watching you interchange with the people you know, learning about wine, etc…the whole experience…and doing this with you.

Just sorta wanted you to know…”

I always presumed that when I had the occasion for serious reflection on my life it would be my various accomplishments that would be the focus of my attention. But it’s not. Instead, it’s the quality relationships I have forged with quality people. That, my friends, is the stuff of life.

In a somewhat related matter, I have received a few notes commending me on my bravery in the face of all of this. The secret to this “bravery” is really quite simple: I have never conceded that I may be mortal, much less that I’ll be proven wrong anytime soon. ;-)

Tomorrow is a travel day. Expect substantive posts from the road on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Until then, be nice to one another . . .