Hey,
Dess is writing on the blog right now, so i thought i'd add a little bit of my own life story. I figure this will be the best time because we've got 2 ships leaving for Haiti in 10 days so life is going to get hectic quick. We haven't really done much in the way of overtime yet, which is really nice. I did have to work one full day Saturday, but that wasn't too bad. Lately though, i've been feeling more tired and irritable. I guess i've just gotta get over myself.
With this trip, i'm not too involved because it doesn't involve my departments too much. Yes, it does involve the warehouse because we are taking SOME cargo, but not much more than a dozen pallets or so. And it does involved the mechanics because there is equipment that we need to get going. But, as a whole, i'm able to stay partially distant and i kind of like it. The thing which i find difficult for me is that i've got a new guy working in the warehouse who wants to be a part of all the action for Haiti. He's going on the trip, but he wants to be more involved in the preparations. So, when he has to do warehouse stuff that doesn't pertain to Haiti, he isn't really interested and doesn't work at it with all his heart. It's tough to work with someone and feel like they aren't really doing anything. I'm trying to not get resentful about it. I know he's new and just wants to be involved in the "fun stuff" like loading a ship.
So, life is going on. I came to the realization the other day that i think i've got people in my life who i'm at the point of considering "ex-friends". The person who made this list in my mind was old good buddy Dan Jamison. I haven't seen or talked to that guy in what seems like forever. It's been a year since i talked with him last. It's sad cause all my memories of him are growing distant. I have no real idea of what's going on in his life. I don't want to not know what's going on, but the long distance thing just didn't seem to work out. Neither one of us kept it up. It's enough to make me cry. I'm down to having no close personal friends here at Friend Ships. I live in a community with about 50 other people and have my wife as my sole companion. There have been so many people who have come and gone. The last guy who i was friends with that left, Matt, has been good about keeping in contact. I think he's still interested in hearing what's happening at Friend Ships and in my life. It's just pretty amazing how soon after leaving Friend Ships that people just kind of loose contact.
Well, i don't really have much to say today. I just am waiting mostly for Dess. She must be giving you a lot of information to be writing this long. I hope you enjoy our updates.
joel
2 comments:
Yup. We love your updates and appreciate the sacrifice you make to keep your blog fresh. Dess had a pretty exciting story to tell so I guess you'll just have to forgive her for taking so long to tell us about it!
Face it. You're one of those guys who doesn't make close friends easily. I know other people who are like that. I wouldn't write Dan off too easily. In my experience, the closest friends are folks who - even though we haven't seen or heard from them for years - when we connect again it is like we've never been away from each other. He may not be an ex-friend, just one you haven't connected with lately. Time will tell.
You sound a bit lonely. Loneliness is kind of funny. It comes and goes. Sometimes loneliness is just one of the expressions of depression. On the other hand, God's been known to provide friends when we need them.
Remember, it is God's job to meet your needs. Sometimes he does that through others. Sometimes he does it through his own friendship. One of the lessons I have had to learn (as a loner) is to not expect others (especially Carolyn) to meet my deepest emotional needs. God has promised that he would meet those needs. So it is his job - not the job of any friend, no matter how important that friend may be to you.
(Because I haven't been in the pulpit lately, I appreciate the opportunity to preach to you! Forgive me if I sound too preachy.)
Luv ya...
Hey Joel,
I miss you!! It's always so nice to read your writing 'cause I can hear it like you're sitting on my bunk and saying it out loud. I would also not give up on Dan. On the other hand, sometimes you just have to accept that people are meant to be pivotal in your life for a short time and then move on. You'll find that with time their 'spot' is filled by someone else. A year is not that long. It's really not! I left Nipawin at age 10 and to this day Joanne and I still keep in touch. By the way, she just had the cutest little baby named Kaleb but also had a wicked tough pregnancy and labour with many complications so it would be cool if you said a prayer for them. But back to my friendship advice...many a year has gone by when we have not heard from each other. Literally, I think we've gone upwards of three years. The awesome part is that when we connect again, it's like we never left off and i'm left wanting to know more than ever about where life has taken her. I have a few friends I expected I would always keep in touch with that have drifted apart. I still miss them and think of them fondly but I also think it's best to let them drift. Man, I sure miss you. Will you come home soon? Getting a green card sure is easier in the movies. Love ya,
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