The Observation Deck

It has been 16 years since I first met this man. I was not very nice to him. I have regretted my behavior for so long and want to tell him I am sorry. I hope he accepts my apology and possibly start a new friendship.

Jessica,

First of all, welcome to the 'Deck.

Having read your caring posting here, I have to reflect that although we, as readers, may or may not know the person to whom you are referring, it would truly seem that, from time to time, we all have probably either been that person "on the hillside" for someone else, or else, we were the person who did not treat someone as well as we perhaps could have.

You are certainly not alone with those thoughts.

All of us could probably take a moment and reflect about these things. We obviously cannot go back and change the past, but we certainly can go forward and change the future.

The Bible, for example, is filled with stories of mistake-makers who, upon reflection of those mistakes, changed their lives and the lives of countless others for the better.

Jessica, I'm sure that you have already made a great many new friends here on the 'Deck.

Again, welcome, and thanks for your post.

As they say- Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

Gary,

Thank your for the kind welcome to the Deck. I am happy to say, I have resolved my guilt and formed a new friendship with the man on the Hillside.

Jessica,

Thanks for your thanks!

Some of those old encounters in life, we can go back and resolve.

Others, sometimes sadly not, for a variety of reasons.

Awhile back, I was thinking just about like you posted, and so I revisited some of my own past encounters, particularly with respect to those who helped me out along the way. I ever wrote a column about it.

This 'Deck of ours has become like a big family.

Sometimes, a bit dysfunctional, to be sure...

But it's been a great place to renew friendships, and make new ones.

Again, welcome.

Very glad that things worked out!

Gary,

Thank you for your replies. Like I said in my previous reply, I have made a new friend. This man, the Man On the Hillside, is now a good friend, though our friendship will not be as prolific as I hoped for. I am still happy that I found him, and was able to tell him I was sorry for my actions long ago.

Just like you (and they) said: Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

Jessica,

I'm glad that things worked out.

Enjoy every day of your life.

As my dear late mom once said:

You have to make yourself be happy. If you wait for others to do that for you, you will be waiting a long time.

All real friendships are special ones. May you always have many of them.