Forgotten and abandoned farmhouse with mountains in the background
Easily Forgotten

Vacation shut down! Escape to the mountains! Hibernate for some much-needed R&R. Come up for breath. Is winter over? Hmmm… I wonder where everyone went?

This morning, halfway through our chosen window for some rest, I popped my head up to see what others were doing. You know, the election is right around the corner. Christmas is 63 days away. It’s soon to be 2025. Oh, my. The year is nearly done!

No one is messaging me. I’ve only written one blog post other than this one. Everyone is busy with their own thing.

Dig a little deeper.

I searched a few names on social media, and most seem only interested in reposting. The few groups I’ve created do not show anything happening.

What would it be like not to have anyone checking in with you, posting a victory or a need, and the only thing you connect with is the news and what they think is important?

I’m re-reading James Michener’s book, “Texas.” Why? Why not. In the wilderness of new territory, one must be willing to cast off the connections of a prior life, load up a few necessary items, and go West. The way forward is not readily known. Hardships exist. Tragedy around every bend of the road.

No technology instantly connects you to the world.
A letter may be sent and received,
but no guarantee of written communication
will survive storms, tragedies, or deaths.

Imagine intrepid explorers casting off from a dock with their ships loaded with what are thought to be the necessities of life. Many thought the earth was flat and exploring the unknown was pointless.

We’ve been through the pandemic, and during that season, I reread George Stewart’s “Earth Abides.” The Bible tells us that the Earth does not survive, but until that time comes, how many times has the Earth survived the plague of man? Imagine losing all we hold dear when it comes to our ease of connection, and those who are left are reacting to failing infrastructure and learning to fend for themselves. Reboot. Restart. Do Over. Mulligan. Call it what you want; many would not survive the isolation.

I was thinking about Joseph in the portion of his story when he was helping others, yet he was constantly being forgotten. In fact, the scriptures paint this forlorn scene but leave much to my imagination.

Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.
(Genesis 40:23 NKJV)

Please. Don’t forget me.

As our rest period draws closer to its end this morning than it did at the beginning,
I remember the value of others.
I also remember others have slipped through the cracks.
Several friends are buried not far from me, and if possible, I want to make a pilgrimage to their final resting place. It may just be a marker, but the way my mind works, it’s important to be respectful and treasure those who are no longer with us.
I don’t want them to be forgotten.

Thank you for reading.
Please share with others.
It helps me get my book written!

(Below, you may find other topics similar to this one. Please read on!)

By Michael Gurley

Making Sense of Life, One Thought at a Time!