Where Do They Go?

Well ... this Cowgirl has some serious thoughts that need ropin' and brandin'.


I've thought about this many times here and there. It just came to mind again, and I've got to get it off my chest.


It's this simple thing - how people can come into your life so quickly, and leave just as quickly, then you never see them again. It bugs me. Also, people I've known, that I know I'll either not see them again on the face of this earth, or I have no idea what ever happened to them.


I hate to admit this, but there are times I'm glad when someone isn't in my life anymore - usually just someone I happen to know of, who's either evil, bizarre, dangerous or "toxic" in some other way.


I'm not particularly thinking along the lines of family and other loved ones, and then they pass away. I'm thinking more of people who it seems God has a purpose for you to meet as you go along your way in life, and sometimes they stay, and sometimes they go on, on a completely different path. My mind wonders at the "purpose" of it all, and wonders what happened to them.


All the kids I've known through school - kindergarten through senior in high school. Living in the same hometown all that time, you're more or less like a big family. Some I've kept in touch with, or gotten back in touch with (ain't facebook wonderful?), but others --- where'd they go? What became of their life?


I went to college in a couple of places. Made some GOOD FRIENDS there, we'd hang out, go to classes, talk about life and hopes and dreams .... then we graduated and I'd say I have no idea where most of them are now.


Or you'll be living somewhere, and someone moves in as neighbors, then suddenly they move away again, and you never see them again. Or maybe you yourself are the neighbors that moved in and moved away again, and you wonder how your former neighbors are. And you wonder, do they miss you?


Or you happen to meet a random individual somewhere as you go about your day, and it almost seems like a "divine appointment" of some kind, your visiting has a purpose almost, then you part company and never see them again. You don't even know their name or where they're from.


I don't EVEN want to get into this, but sometimes you look back at "crushes" and "loves," and you wonder what happened to them? Sometimes you do know what happened to them. Sometimes it's OK, sometimes it's confusing, sometimes it's devastating, sometimes you look back and your GLAD it didn't work out. But where'd they go and what are they doing now?


In my original hometown, a few years after I'd gotten married, I made a good friend. We were a lot alike in personality, interests (including horses!), things we'd been through. She really needed someone to talk to, and I was glad when she'd show up on my doorstep and come in and yak. She had kind of a troubled life for various reasons. But I felt kind of a "kindred spirit" with her so to speak. I didn't see her much, but she'd either visit once in awhile, or I'd see her in town occasionally. Then .... her husband died. She moved. I've never seen her since, and have no idea where she is now. It's been YEARS. I bawl when I think about it. I pray for her. I hope she's doing alright in her life.


I'm glad that another friend I've made in my hometown is still in my life, and just like a sister! I'm thankful people don't always move out of my life! Some stay and are a blessing!


Sometimes this subject goes in the opposite direction. People come into your life, and you get to know them, and you get to the point that you feel as if you've known them all your life. You can't imagine not knowing them. Sometimes you just latch on to certain favorite people, and I see that as a blessing, a GIFT, from God. There's sharing, encouraging, loving, praying, and it's just plain GOOD to have them be in your life. In fact, you can't imagine NOT having them in your life anymore.


Then, I have a friend I met through a chat board, that she and I have never met in person. But via computer, we have shared faith and friendship, and have grown to be like sisters. And we ARE sisters in the Lord Jesus.


And sometimes, you may know people earlier in life, and get to know them better later on - that's a rich blessing! I have been blessed in that way with many dear friends in the last several years and recently! Treasure, indeed.


And of course I have to think about my "two church families." One, where I grew up all my life. Another one, now, where we live in another state. ALL TREASURE.


Meanwhile, I trust God that the people I've known in my life who have moved somewhere where I can't find them, that they'll be in His hands and in His care. And that the ones who have become such treasure (whether in my old home or my current one, or other scattered places), He'll allow to stay.