There’s an infinite amount that I can write about in a blog entry… this time I just wanted to share my thoughts with those that care.
I’ve been feeling really down about this site, not getting much feedback from people… and was starting to believe it is a waste of time. I realize that I need to take into account that I am still single without children, and that most of you are far more busy than I. Don’t get me wrong, my career is very demanding, but I don’t leave the office consumed by helping my wife with the household, or spending time with my kids. As much as I look forward to it.
It was a weekend of hanging with some of my closer friends, who reminded me how much the site meant to them, how often they visit… and (what timing!) I also received several e-mails from folks that I haven’t spoken to in a while, letting me know how much it has helped, in some cases - getting through tough times.
One of the overall feelings that I am getting is that people are sad to have lost contact with so many of their close friends from school. Please let me break the ice for you and say it is far from too late..
…we’ve all moved on, in addition to being in contact with many of you still, I have formed lifelong friendships with people that I work with, and have met in my neighborhood, which is part of life. and to dwell on 4 years back in the mid-nineties seems silly to some, but it was not a normal 4 years, and the friendships that were established weren’t normal friendships… but in many cases involved a bond that even if ignored for a few years is still so valuable, and I beg you to to consider rekindling some of them.
This is not a ploy to popularize this site, in fact - don’t use this site at all to make contact… but more a genuine wish that no matter how busy life is, no matter how consuming your immediate family is, husbands, wives, and children or career, that you will reach out to some of your old friends, maybe even find out that they live in the next town over and allow the chance to rekindle, in one way or another.
At times I wonder if some of you that come to the site question if I will ever “let go” of what we had back at URI in the 90’s. and if it is possibly loneliness that motivates me to push for us to stay in touch. It’s not that… sure I’m still single and in many cases a few steps behind some of you married folks, a lot of you parents now. but, I’m quite content with life, I have a good career, a wonderful family, and a close circle of friends that one wouldn’t even think to wish for, it would just be too much for one to ask for.
I do sense that there are some folks that for whatever reason, feel it is too late to make contact with each other… and it’s so not true….
As good as life can be, there are many moments in which we can all agree that it’s a bitch… and as friends and family are the best to motivate us to keep going, please don’t be afraid to reach out to some of your URI friends. I haven’t met another person who has had a college experience like ours and bonded as much as we did, so please don’t let that go to waste. We live once, so do me, and yourself a favor… when you’re done reading this, pick up the phone and call one of your fellow alumni and longtime friends who you haven’t spoken to in a few years…. it’s not too late, and the likelihood is that you will make their day. and, allow the possibility of a renewed friendship.