Reach Out Even If You Think It’s Too Late

Thursday, February 21st, 2019     by Debra DuPree Williams     Start the Conversation

By Debra DuPreeWilliams @DDuPreeWilliams
This has been a difficult week. Over the weekend, I heard that a dear friend was very sick. This friend was one of my college roommates, and also, one of my bridesmaids. We stayed in touch during the years that I remained in Birmingham, her home, but when we moved to Florida, I lost touch with not only her, but so many of my old friends.

You know the friends I mean—the ones who helped to form you into the person you are today. The people who influenced your past, thus creating the path to the future you.

Meet Kathryn

My friend’s name is Kathryn. I first met her during my freshman year in college, Birmingham-Southern, in Birmingham, Alabama. I sang in a church choir in which Kathryn also sang. She was a sophomore in high school. Blessed with personality plus, one would be hard-pressed to forget their first encounter with dear Kat.

Kathryn and I roomed together for one semester. We were music majors in opera workshop together. During the spring, we were both so busy with classes, recitals, and the opera production, there was little time for much else. Our room would have made our mothers weep. In fact, her mother, who lived nearby, loved to drop in unannounced. (You are missed, JoAnna.) I’m sure she found herself lost in a see of clothing, books, and heaven only knows what else. To put it mildly, our room was a mess.
Chosen

Fast forward a few years and I had met the love of my life and my wedding day approached. Kat was one of my six bridesmaids. I chose people who had influenced my life, people I loved dearly, to stand as my witnesses at that sacred ceremony.

Then, as life took over and I began having my boys, and we moved to Florida, staying in touch became more and more difficult. When we returned to Birmingham to visit my husband’s family, there was little time for anyone else. We squeezed in a couple of hours each time to visit with our beloved former choirmaster/organist at our church, IPC. But, seeing anyone else was an impossibility.

Thirty-plus years in Florida only widened the gulf between my new friends and my old friends. I never forgot any of them—life just goes on, ob-la-di ob-la-da.
Stunned 

And then I got word of my dear friend’s grave condition. In the words of another of my bridesmaids, we were stunned. I sent messages to those whom I knew would pray. And I know some excellent pray-ers. And Kat, whom we all thought could be leaving us far too soon—rallied. When her daughter arrived, she was told that her mother was awake and responding to questions. She squeezed her daughter’s hand and responded to her.

We are praising God for His mercy and are believing for full recovery, though we know He alone has the final say.
People Matter

My friends, this is my way of saying to you—moments matter. Time matters. People matter. Don’t get so out of touch that you think there is no closing the gap. Reach out to family and friends whom you haven’t seen or heard from in a while. Be the one to take the first step. Your fervent prayers for someone could and will make a difference, if for no one else, then for you. May the names of those people, who helped to form you into you, cross your lips this very day.

Have you lost touch with someone important to you? Reach out to them. Before it’s too late. I’m praying for all of you.

TWEETABLE

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