When In Doubt, Just Do It.

I had plans to write a series of vignettes this evening to share a variety of emotions that I am currently experiencing.

It’s getting later and I’m tired, so I am going to pick just one to share. It is the one story that reminded me of how important it is to take a minute to forget about myself for just a few minutes and to think of another person.  (Note to self).

Today was an old friend’s birthday.  We met in 1982 and I learned his birthday was the day after Valentines’ Day.  Like many other birthdays, his comes up each year, thanks to Google Calendar.

We haven’t seen each other in a few years and talk less as time marches on.  He is a bit of a celebrity and I was certain his phone would be ringing off the hook today. It wouldn’t matter if I called or not.  I decided not to call.

Late in the afternoon, after recurring thoughts about not calling, I gave in and punched up his cell.

My friend answered on the second ring and knew it was me as he has my number saved on his phone. “Well, Mr. Visotski…” We exchanged greetings and he added that he woke up this morning thinking that when I called him today, it would be the 38th year in a row I remembered his birthday.  Talk about positive reinforcement…

He then went on and asked about my parents and I had to tell him that dad died back in September. He added that he remembered my parents as some of the nicest and gentlest people he had ever met and asked me to remember him to my mom.

It was obvious from the background noise that he was out somewhere, but he was in no rush to end our call.  We talked a bit further and I told him that I have tentative plans to visit his city (Nashville, TN)  in the not too distant future for work and we must get together when I do so. He was quick to agree and that was about it.

Until next time.

Today, I was reminded of the power of a phone call.

When in doubt, just do it.

The story of a series of coincidences will continue tomorrow.