Frank goes for Connections this week, and I have a story. Last week I went to The Netherlands for the grand flower festival and the parade – but also to reconnect with a man I met almost exactly 30 years ago when hiking the King’s Trail from Abisko, Sweden.
We have not seen each other for all those years, but we have kept contact by writing letters. A great deal of ones life ”happens” somewhere between 30 and 60. But, we recognized each other immediately. He was still shy, and so tall and thin, though his big bush of hair had turned greyer and a bit less bushy. Like mine.
We spent some hours walking, talking, eating good food and remembering those happy, hiking days in the mountains. 1989. I walked with my dog and he walked alone. I was very impressed by him being a professor in theoretical mathematics and he was impressed by me hiking alone, heavily packed and only accompanied by a big dog.
Where did all those years go? We still connect…Wim and I, and it was not easy to say goodbye again. Life is a strange thing, but so are connections. Just how do they work? What makes us connect, never forget, and still ”know” one another after so many years? Wonderful.
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Connections are special. And letters made these connections last. I wonder whether folks will be more connected now through social media, or with the connections be less because letters take us in depth to other people. It makes me smile to read about your friendship. Lovely to share.
I think maybe young people might stay connected via social media. Me, I agree with you – letters go deeper. also because they will be saved to be read again. Social media is not a lasting medium.
No it is not lasting. Look at Snapchat. It is so transient even photos are not permanent.
I never look at those sites – thank you for enlightening me.
👍
beautiful story! 🙂
How nice to meet an old friend
And strange and – one of life’s gifts I guess!
And one that turned out positive in the end!
What a lovely day of re-connection. To connect with others is truly what life is all about.
♥
So wonderful you got to connect with Wim again after all these years, and what a lovely photo the two of you took together. Connections that last this long, especially long distance, are something very special 🙂
Very special, Mabel. My husband took the photo, and I have sent it to Wim.
A great feeling! To connect n bond after years…
Great it was! I have reached the age when it seems important. Life is very short.
Your story was very heartwarming and made me think about friends I haven’t seen or talked to in years.
It’s delightful to have a friend that you can reconnect with years later. Life happens so much after 30…
Thank you – I guess I have reached the age where it seems important to meet again. Life is short.
At any age it’s good to reconnect with friends. Good friends are hard to find.
Have a great Sunday!
Thank you gor your nice comment! Have a great day!
You’re welcome! Hope you have a great rest of the week.
Oh… what a wonderful story. How sweet to connect again. 🙂
Thank you fr sharing the story with us, AC!
We had a great day! A bit nervous, because I knew how shy he is. It was indeed a gift to meet again. Life is short.
How nice to connect again after all those years!
Indeed it was! He was very nervous about it – and I was so looking forwatd to it. And it turned out so well!
Meant to be!
Ahh, what an excellent story! Makes me wish to walk alone with the dog. Waitaminute – I do that yet on a daily basis! 😀
Haha, you do! In the mountains for a week too? But dogs and children are the best to connect you with other people. Always questions and laughter😀
No, alone in the mountains with the dog for more days, never. 🙂 Connecting with other people when I’m in nature is not the first thing on my list. 😉 Actually, I remove myself from others.
True – I agree. But when I met Wim, he was so lost…did not have the right clothes or a backpack to carry his things in – you know, the mother in me could not just abandon him. I am sure he had never hiked before.
Ahh, lovely. I’m sure he is beyond grateful to you. Such encounters are life-changing.
They are…
Oh, what a marvellous story, Ann Christine! Most heart-warming, I’m all for connections, however brief!
I think they are a great gift in life!
I completely agree, A C!
A lovely story Ann-Christine
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I enjoyed your story immensely, Leya. Thanks for sharing ❤🤗
Haha, well, I am glad, Hanna! A bit bitter sweet.