Conversations with a friend

Conversations with a friend

Day 1 of many

December 19th 2020

5:02 PM

Backstory on her: she is twenty-four and going to ministry school. She is not exactly where she thought she would be when she was a kid. Which was somewhere between a famous artist, Olympian, or The President of the United States. Yet, right now she is just living. Spending most of her time laughing between numerous caffeinated beverages a day, or talking to her friend. She once thought that she could avoid the very confusing twenties, however that has not been the case.

Backstory on him: he knows everything.

The sun is setting over the Starbucks parking lot and as the hues of orange turn to deep blue, she sips he strong tea as they talk.

Her: it’s been a while.

Him: I’ve missed you too.

Her: thank you. Even when I am distant you are always there.

Him: always and It’s the truth. Now, how are you?

Sips her tea.

Her: honestly a bit stressed...

Him: Why?

Her: A lot of little things that are probably nothing

Him: Love.

He calls her love.

Him: You are always pretty good at dismissing yourself

Her: yeah.

Pause. She laughs a bit.

Him: So, what is really stressing you out?

Her: not to sound dramatic but I feel the impending pace of life and I am still a kid. It is hard to not compare myself to those around me and feel like I am behind or somehow missing it.

Him: you are silly.

Her: Ha-ha what?

Him: I said you are silly; you are right where you need to be and the truth is that if you were further along you would be feeling the same. You are just in that stage in life where it all feels a bit confusing, like right before you take the test or take the big leap. You are not really sure if you have done enough. But you are ready. Hear me again, you are ready.

Her: What is the next step...

Him: you will know. Just remember you are ready.

This got her thinking about the concept of the future and being ready for whatever comes. She can spend so much time thinking about the future that she can completely miss the present. The time spent with friends is not a waste but rather a blessing. The greatest blessing. However, it is not entirely confusing to want to know what is next. It makes sense that she is feeling a bit lost at twenty-four and wants to find purpose, I mean we are all trying to understand and find out what it is all about.

Then she speaks to him and something shifts, what was a stress induced panic turns into a content patience, sometimes it takes a bit longer to get where you want to be.

Her: Thank you, you are right.

Him: Always. The training ground for a king is different than a foot soldier, don’t hate small beginnings.

She takes a deep breath as the conversation ends as the sunset finishes. She suddenly becomes aware of how cold her hands have become and the long list of errands she needs to run before dinner. She smiles as she starts to think of less weighty things and laughs as a strangers dog runs wildly off his leash, feeling free. She finishes her tea.

She takes a deep breath noticing the tightness from before is gone.

He is gone and she is left with a newfound peace.

A peace that makes no sense, all through one conversation. Sometimes all you need is a conversation with a friend.

5:50 PM