People Come, People Go

Throughout the course of our lives, a large number of people come into our lives. Some stay for a long time and others do not but each one of them has an impact on our life, either positive or negative.

And that influence might be transformative, full of joy or sorrow, teachable moments and enlightenment. It might be a single kindness from a stranger or a few words from a friend that changes the course of our lives forever.

What circumstances bring all these people to us? The first, and most obvious ones, our family, our school mates, our neighbours and our teachers. As we grow older, it's our co-workers, service providers (hair dresser, mechanic, bus driver, waitress) and those met by chance at places like the coffee shop or grocery store.

Some people we choose to spend time with, while others are thrust upon us due to circumstances. Each one of them touches our lives in some way, however brief or prolonged that interaction may be. And each one helps to mold us into the person we are today, for better or for worse.

I am grateful to all those who have moved through my life. They have taught me patience and compassion, sparked creativity and interest. They have helped me explore things that I could never have imagined in my youth and taken me to places never seen before.

It's been a wild ride, full of ups and downs, bumps and potholes and forks in the road. Has it been worth it? Yes, it has. I look back with no regrets and look forward with anticipation to new adventures with old friends and those as yet unknown who will join me on my path in the future. Let's get started!