A week ago we were on a short day trip, as it turns out, to visit a fudge factory! But that is a story for another day!
As we were on the highway, I reflected on times, nearly 50 years ago, when I would travel to horse shows with my Dad. The times were very different, and safety practices looked different. Looking back today, it is a wonder my sisters and I are still alive.

As I began to travel down memory lane, lots of layers returned with ease. Gratitude and appreciation were influencing everything I saw and touched. One relationship I had was with a woman named Sheila, she was a bit older than me, and I looked up to her. She was a nurse, and that role was a perfect match for her. She was so generous and kind.
We were both farm families, and visits were limited, yet the shared values and understanding made for easy times together.
Like many of our connections, we fell out of step, the decades passed, and relationships became distanced.
As my husband was driving, I decided to do a little bit of sleuthing. I searched for her on social media. No profiles for her. I knew her daughter’s first name, so I put in some clues, and low and behold up popped her daughter.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I have hesitated in the past telling myself so many stories. It will be complicated to reconnect, maybe my friend wouldn’t want to speak, perhaps so much has changed it will be awkward, and the list goes on. Instead, I leaped and reached out.
It took a few days, but we connected by phone. It was like years had melted away. She was the same genuine person I remembered, and we fell into 90 minutes of stories and catching up. We will have a face-to-face catch-up soon, and I know it will be a few hours for sure.
So why am I sharing this story? I could have paused, and parked this memory. Instead, I jumped in, and I am so so grateful. Those memories have given me energy and enthusiasm.

My commitment is to look for one of these lost relationships every month and nurture it. Can you imagine what your life would be like if you did that? Finding ways to connect is much much easier than you think.
I will be sure to update you on my new habit progress.
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