The more things change...

So I spent the past weekend in Ripon, WI... site of such things as: my college years. Why? Why did I go back to a place I've previously described as a "hell hole"? Well, it was Riponfest (the Ripon version of Summerfest -- so (*as Michael so beautifully put it) "basically a couple rides and a tent"...(*And he didn't even go!!!). I, therefore, went back to see some old friends, and make some new ones. And the funny thing is - Ripon is exactly the same (although there is construction on EVERY street, it seems!). The people are the same, too. And I LOVE them -- but is it possible to outgrow your friends? Or you change, and they don't? Or...?? These are the thoughts I was having on the way back to Racine. And then... I turned the corner from Main onto Melvin (on the way to feed Mother's cats...) and there were three friends I had not spoken with in .. wow.. several years, I guess. And I was really thrilled to find that although things have changed in our lives, the genuine interest and (can I say...love?) that we have for each other and each other's lives is unchanged. In other words, I was reassured by this lovely family that although things in our lives and even in our relationship with each other has changed dramatically over the years, they are still great people and we are still friends - even after all these years! So my concern that I had "outgrown" or changed too much for my Ripon friends was alleviated by my brief visit with these Racine friends. I think there is always the possibility that your relationships with your friends will change, and evolve. The people who were your best friends grew up and changed (as did you) and now they aren't, perhaps your BEST friends, but they are still a great part of the past that made you who you are. So they cannot and should not be discarded and written off -- you simply have to adjust the way you look at the relationship. Everything changes - but the people you love -- who love you - will ALWAYS be some part of you. Even if you broke up and 'hate' them... or you haven't seen them (or thought about them) for years... or if you lost touch... or if you had a fight... or if you see them everyday! If the relationship is one that's important to you -- you'll work it out and evolve together. And if you don't, at least they will remain a part of your past and therefore a part of who you have become.

Ah yes... Now that I have gotten that bit of philosophy off my shoulders... I'm going to go do something mind-numbing... hmmm "Punk'd"?? I think so! For those of you who waded through all that rhetoric there -- congratulations! You probably don't need any mind-numbing activity. I provided that for you, right? haha...

Stay tuned next time for: "Thanks for the set-up... or why blind dates don't do it for me..."