Some things never change– and that can be a good thing. Last week I got to spend time with my friend Stephen. Steve, Maria and I went to a bagel spot in Cincinnati.
Back in high school, I tutored him during my study hall period. Every morning after “homeroom” at roughly 8am, I made my way from the top floor of Turpin High School to the bottom. And without fail, every morning Stephen was waiting for me with a big smile. I’ve written at length, particularly in my book, about how this dynamic s
haped my generally positive outlook on life. Not so surprisingly, last Saturday was the same.
We pulled into the driveway to pick him up, and I could see him standing in the doorway with his Dad. And just like it was 2011 again (I am old), Steve was waiting with the same excitement. I figured he would be, but the confirmation in hearing him through the door was nice.
“Oh, I think that’s Mitch. I think he’s probably here. Yep, I think he’s coming!”
A huge smile came to my face as I approached the door. I was already excited to see him, but there’s something about that same energy from him that warms my heart every time.
On the way to breakfast, we learned about the many exciting updates in Stephen’s world. He still likes his job and he still stays active outside of work, currently playing baseball and participating in a Special Olympics bowling league. He still asks me the same questions about trash day, my parents, and exactly what the heck I’ll be doing after I drop him off for the day. Although it was evident that some things never change, there were some new developments, too.
One of his sisters is pregnant, just like Maria! That was a fun connection for them to make. Having Maria there in general is something that has changed, too, and I’m grateful for that. While the conversations in the car and at breakfast bore a striking resemblance to those from high school, her involvement adds a beautiful wrinkle. I see him being just as excited to see her as he is me. I see her getting to know him better, and applying suggestions from my book in her interactions with him. As much as I aim to make an impact on many people through the Transcending Labels mission, the positive changes in those closest to me is what matters the most.
As I reflect on the time spent together, a few core takeaways come up for me that are at the heart of my mission. Just like the study hall period from years ago, the hour we spent together flew by. During that time, we were present with each other. During that time, I wasn’t thinking about any of my challenges or what I needed to get done for the day. And most of all, when the time was up, I was left with one thought: “I’m going to make sure we do this again.”
