Upon Reflection

By Dale Buchanan

Fifty-seven weeks ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to write my first “Getting to Know You” essay. It was and continues to be a column dedicated to the “Folks in the Pews.” That first person was Gayle Thornton primarily because she was one of the people in the congregation with whom I was well acquainted. Last week our pew person was Pete Espinoza. I put Pete on my list mainly because he is always smiling.

A little over a year has gone flying by and this afternoon seems like an appropriate time to reflect on the fifty-six people and the stories they have freely shared with us week after week.
As I sit here at my desk, it is very quiet and like an echo the sweet memories of all those interviews come reverberating back to me. As I ponder, I see the faces that have become dear and hear the now familiar voices as they dig into their pasts and share precious stories of childhood, fond memories of young love, nostalgic recollections of days gone by, and these along with pleasant accounts of the joys of living in the moment and dealing with life both the good and the bad, the happy and the sad.

An echo sends back the reflected sounds to me as cliffs resound the thunder of the ocean and as a cathedral roof reverberates joyous hymns. The memories of front rooms, coffee shops, the courtyard at Big Red, and the benches at the back of the church fellowship hall come to me as an almost mythical experience—precious memories that will always inspire me.

I hear my friends, as if for the first time, relate again the tender stories of mother, the ironic accounts of dad. I see through the reflective power of love the brothers and sisters recreated and made real in the flash of the moment right before my spellbound eyes.

One my one, this diverse group and distinctly individualistic men and women set aside an hour or two and tell their stories. When I started these columns, I did not know most of you very well and some of you I still do not know except for a ritual handshake and a “Peace be with you” greeting. I count it a blessing that there are fifty-six of you with whom I have spent time talking. Fifty-six of you who I can now count as friends because we have shared life-shaping stories, revealed dreams, passions, and dared to speak of our hopes and ambitions. Dale Buchanan has found—in just over a year—fifty and counting acquaintances that he can truly call good friends.
You may find yourself being tapped on the shoulder in the very near future. 😊