Sloughing Off Identities and Contacts

I had a thought a while ago, when I was reminiscing about high school and my friends that have passed out of my life since then, how long does it take for a life to turn over? That is, how much time would it take to move, change jobs and basically disappear into the past?

One of my longest friendships had lain dormant for a few years because we'd just lost touch. But she found my phone number somewhere and called me and sparked our friendship right back up and I now consider her one of my best friends. But if that had happened a year later or two years later I wouldn't be at that phone number anymore and I've moved so many times in the last ten years that the trail is completely convoluted.

My work life has settled down quite a bit and that's good but five years ago I wasn't even in this line of work, I was still bartending and working in the health club industry. My home life has always been a little turbulent but should be settling in for a few years now with the new house, the new wife, the new puppy and the baby on the way.

So, maybe its something that slows down as one gets older. When I was in my early 20's I was all over the place, Arizona, Chicago, New England, South Africa and then, finally, out to California.

And then my thoughts turn to wondering about those friends and contacts from my past that may have also tried to make contact again but failed because I had moved on already. I've done the same thing, looked for ways to find my old friends and come up empty.

Some of my old friends I have gotten back in touch with and realized that the only thing we still have in common is the past. Our lives have diverged to the point that a night of beers and conversations will eventually dwindle into nothingness. Its not a bad thing that lives change and people change but its somewhat sad.

And then there's also the other way to look at it. Thinking about those people that will be important to your life soon but you don't know them yet. Kind of an interesting thought. Future friends and pals.