If You Don't Know Where You're Going (You Might End Up Somewhere Else)

Greetings, y'all! 👋😄 

The title is from a song, but it sort of sums up my life (or at least how some things in my life, like these blog posts, have gone so far 😄). 

At some point in our lives, we come to crossroads and have to decide which direction we're going to take. Most of the time, what lies in either direction is a big unknown, and making major life decisions based on the unknown is scary. It's tempting to just "stay put", because at least "here" is familiar (and all our stuff is "here"), but not moving forward in any direction isn't necessarily a good thing.

I don't have any sage advice to offer (shocker!), because I'm finding myself standing at a crossroads presently, and every direction (forward) has possibilities. And every possibility comes with a huge question mark. 

In one direction, there's music, which has been my true passion for as long as I can remember (seriously). I love listening to music, I love playing music, and I especially love playing music with other musicians. I've posted about that previously, and you can find it on this blog.

In another direction, there's "professional development", which I feel like I should pursue, since tech skills improve my chances of employment should my current gig end (which, as an independent contractor, is something that could happen at any time). For the most part, I really do enjoy my job (most likely because I have awesome coworkers), and it pays the bills and puts food on the table.

Except for reminiscing over the good times, I'm not looking backwards. I can't change the past, and to be honest, I wouldn't want to if I could. Everything that's happened in the past has played a part in making me who I am today or taught me a lesson I needed to learn (the lessons weren't always pleasant, either).

I don't know what my future holds, at least as far as my earthly future. As a woman of faith, I believe there's "life after life". I pray for direction and guidance - it's the "waiting on the Lord" that's tough. 😉 I've been shown, time after time, that God provides, and I believe that He will continue to do so. I just need to stay in my lane. 😉

Be blessed, and be a blessing. ✌💓🙏😊

Megan

Nights I Can't Remember (Friends I'll Never Forget)

Greetings, y'all. 👋😊 

This (Monday) evening, I made a trip to the funeral home to pay my respects to one of my best school friends, Amanda, who passed away at too young of an age from health-related issues. We had drifted apart after she graduated high school, but we reconnected through Facebook about 14 years ago, and we kept in touch through social media and the occasional "Walmart reunion". Our lives had taken different paths, but there was still a thread connecting us that remained unbroken.

As is too often the case, funerals (and wakes) are occasions for reunions with old friends, and this one was no exception. I met up with 2 of my other best school friends (one of whom I hadn't seen since she and her family moved away in 1990-ish), and although we all agreed the circumstances sucked, we were all glad to see each other again. A bittersweet meeting, for sure. We visited over dinner, reminiscing about old times and catching up a little on where we are now. The visit wasn't nearly long enough, but the time we did spend together was so nice. 😊

Michelle, Tee, and me 4.8.2024

I really don't remember how I ended up becoming a part of their group, but I guess "like calls to like" in some subconscious way, and we were all, in our own ways, "outside the norm" among our peers. Regardless of how it came to be, these girls welcomed me into their circle and I found a place where I didn't have to put up a front and pretend to be someone I wasn't (even though I was still trying to find out who I was). I didn't feel judged for being fat, poor, smart, or liking band, and they turned me on to different metal bands that I probably wouldn't have listened to otherwise (which eventually led to me meeting my husband). 

We had sleepovers at Amanda's house, and we spent a lot of time talking, listening to music, talking some more, hanging out, and just "being". We never really did much of anything (that I would admit to) that would've gotten us into real trouble. 😄 Most of the time we spent together was at school during and after lunch. They were a couple years ahead of me, so we didn't have classes together, but lunch was "all grades", and I always looked forward to getting to sit with my friends and hanging out. 😊 We went to a few school dances (there were several during the school year, informal affairs) where we were our own "in crowd". 😄

Back, L-R: Me, Michelle, Amanda, Tee. Front, L-R: James (Amanda's cousin), Chris (also Amanda's cousin). The guys weren't anyone's dates, they were just down for pictures. 😄

Between parents' job transfers and graduations, our little group scattered to the winds, and I lost touch with them for a while. I made a few new good friends, and life moved on, but I never forgot about these girls. We eventually found each other again through social media. Amanda still lived in the area, so when we'd see each other "out & about", we'd chat and catch up (those "Walmart reunions" 😄). Even though we hadn't seen each other in years, we all sort of picked up where we left off, and it was almost like old times again. 😊

As I've gotten older, I've come to realize that we don't have as much time on this earth as we think we do, and there's not a thing wrong with telling your friends, "I love you!" (Yes, guys, this includes y'all, too!). There have been too many times that I didn't tell people I cared about that I loved them when I had the chance to, and then any chance was gone. 

Tell the people you care about that you love them (tell 'em!), be in the pictures (even if you're not feeling photogenic), go in for the hug ("bro hugs" and awkward side hugs are acceptable, too). Don't look back and wish you had, "if only...". 

I love you! 🤗    

Be blessed, and be a blessing! ✌💖🙏🤗

Megan