Thinking pleasant thoughts

Well, I feel like shit today. I mean really--the kind of day when you seriously consider running away. But, I don't want to talk about it right now and you surely don't want to hear about it (it's mostly the same old crapola anyway), so I'll talk about something pleasant.

I have had the pleasure over the last few weeks of seeing a very old friend from college. I'm trying to think if I've seen him since he graduated in 1995. Maybe not. He was in SC for a while, then Russia, Kosovo, Iraq. I like to try to make him admit he's a spy. Actually, I think he just worked for government contractors specializing in development/rebuilding. He'll be off again soon, but this time he's settling down--marrying a Swede and moving to Stockholm.

I find that my friend has hardly changed since college. He was always one of the gentlest, kindest of my male friends, and he's still very much the same--low-key and a bit shy with a wonderful sense of humor that mostly pokes fun at himself. Obviously, he's different, too. He's travelled all over and lived in some pretty tough situations. But it's been so nice to slide into an easy familiarity with an old friend. He hasn't talked too much about Iraq except to say it's pretty disillusioning. I'm glad he's not going back.

Meanwhile, this weekend I saw an even older friend, a guy I knew in junior high. Again, he was one of the sweetest boys in the class at a time when everyone was at their most vicious. I knew him a bit in high school too. He went to a different school. but we had some arty, goth friends in common.

Anyway, he is about to be ordained as a priest. He was at Mass last Sunday and did some of the readings and prayers. I was really struck by the resonance of his voice--there was such a quality of confidence and strength in the way he spoke. It made me think he'd be a good priest. I talked to him a bit after and he was the same old guy, joking and goofing around, and then he switched back into priest mode to give me a blessing and ask that I pray for him. My own faith comes and goes, takes up different forms and is colored with a bit of skepticism. Talking to him made me more aware of it. Talking to him, I realized perhaps it's also an ongoing challenge for priests. Can't really explain it beyond that I felt happy for him, and yet was aware it must be difficult.

So, it's good to see old friends around. Seems like we're all grown up now.