THOUGHTS ON ANOTHER YEAR CLOSING FAST

As I sit here and ponder the passing of another year of my life into history I have to admit I've become very reflective and appreciative of the past.  I've actually been this way much of my life and I'd like to think I've always been thankful for the people who have played a role in my life over the years.  Some of those people have been around for a long time, some for a short time and I can say truthfully, I really try to appreciate all of them.  I think a great deal about how we tend to forget people from our distant past and concentrate only on people in our present.   I am determined to remember all, regardless of their influence.  Elementary and High School classmates, people I met in college, those I've worked with, coached with, played with, attended church and Sunday school with, and those in my life right now.  
For the past several years I've been going to the funeral home to visit parents of my high school friends, old teachers, and former neighbors.  I've made up my mind not to forget those folks, even though I haven't had contact with many of them for years.  I am determined to remember that at some time in my life, at some specific point of my existence, these people interacted with me and had an impact on my life.  I don't think that should be forgotten.  My old second grade teacher, a high school friend's parents, my old neighbors from the street I grew up on.  They all were important to me at some point.  Maybe for a short time, maybe for a long time but, either way, they were important.  I just don't think people like that should be forgotten.  
My suggestion to anyone reading this, is for you to sit down and remember the good times in your life and the people who were there with you.  Maybe your 7th grade buddy's mom, who fed you when you came over to play or, that old teacher who taught you to read or gave you a pat on the back when you needed it, or any of a hundred other people who happened to be sharing the Earth with you in this brief flicker we call life.  Think about them, appreciate them and if they still happen to be around call or visit them.  Life is extremely short and in the realm of cosmic time, we are only here for a flash and then we are gone.  Appreciate those you were lucky enough to exist with.  Make them part of your thoughts.  Enjoy the memories, find a way to acknowledge them, then take a few moments to reflect.