Let’s Play a Game

I want you to play a game with me…a thought experiment of sorts.

I want you to think of someone you know who makes you laugh everytime you’re around them.  I’m talking big, bellyache type laughs that might even leave you a little tired after they’re done but they’re always worth it.

Now think of perhaps a different person, one who knows you inside and out and can tell your ups and downs, even when you try to hide them.

Switch gears now and think of a person who challenges you - maybe to think differently, or someone you enjoy competing with in physical endeavors.

Last one - think of someone who you used to see regularly, but now you live far apart.  Yet, when you do have the chance to get together in person, it’s as if you never left and things pick up right where you left off.

I’m hopeful you were able to think of at least one person in each of these categories - if so, it’s probably worth another moment to step back for a moment of reflection on what it means to have such great people in your life.

Reflection leads to gratefulness, which is how I feel this week after spending the weekend in Kansas City with 9 guys (we missed you Walker!) who absolutely fill the buckets described above.

It’s hard to believe we’re all at least 5 years removed from our days at UNC where we all met.  That amount of time is supposed to degrade friendships like these.  Yet, somehow I feel like “The Overlook” is stronger than ever.

It’s hard to describe the bond, except perhaps to witness the group in action.  What you see (or many times hear), is a familiarity and common experience which leads to ten moving together as one.  Old memories and slang contribute to the cohesion, and would undoubtedly leave a casual bystander wondering what in the world we’re talking about half the time.

The answer, most likely, is probably nothing - or at least nothing of importance.  In fact, the outsider might think we don’t like each other at all - we do still like to argue.  Only now the “conversations” are less focused on who’s better at Halo and instead on much more imporant topics - like what kind of pride should be on the line during our bowling match.

LIke I said, not much has changed.

But in this case, lack of change is good.  It allowed us to make the most of great ribs at a BBQ joint, hitting the links in 25 mph wind, screaming our faces off during the UNC win vs. LSU, joining together for some volunteer work at a local school, playing hoops at the NCAA basketball hall of fame, competing in an epic bowling match, and simply sitting by a fire pit discussing our ever-changing lives.

It was good to be back together, even if only for a few days.