Sometimes things just fall into your lap.
We met over 50 years ago – when we were both young, and mostly innocent. While I can’t remember many particulars about when we first met, your essence as a person was indelibly stamped in my psyche.
With the benefit of youth, beauty alone might have made such an impression. But such impressions fade in time. Yours did not.
It’s hard to recall and articulate exactly what it was that was about you that was embossed onto my soul. When I see all the elements of who you are today, I can see how they grew from the young woman of 16 or 17 I first met. I have photos that remind me of your looks. But the attachment grew from something with far greater impact – more organic – and deeper. Was it your confidence? Your eloquence? Your assertiveness? Most likely all those and more.
Our paths crossed only a few times in those five decades. Each time I was reminded of the young woman I knew so long ago. Each time I could see, or rather feel, the elements etched into my early impressions of you. I don’t think I felt jealousy of the others who benefited from closeness to you over the years. But I do recall feeling very pleased to be in your presence the few times we shared a few moments of time and space.
Its pointless to find a reason the circumstances of today. If I were bragging to old men friends, I’d probably say something ridiculous like “I played the long game – and won.” But the reality is that there’s simply no reason. It just happened. Sometimes things do – just fall into your lap.