This past week, someone I knew back in the early 1980s called me.
As I thought about what I wanted to write this week, I landed on “Reminiscing.”
When was the last time you took the time to reminisce with someone you have lost touch with and see how they are doing?
That was the purpose of the phone call I received.
Wade reached out because we last saw each other at his 50th birthday party in Augusta, Georgia.
It’s also amazing that he got my phone number from someone I know well who lives a few houses away in the same neighborhood.
They were talking, my name came up, and, to my surprise, he gave him my phone number.
How we talk, treat people, and live our lives’ matters.
Sometimes we never know the impact of our empathy, leadership, character, or how we carry ourselves when we mentor others.
In the 1980’s as a soldier, I was responsible for the health and welfare of my two soldiers assigned to me. I will get to the other one shortly.
Hearing him thank me for the leadership I provided, and how he uses the lessons learned then now, meant a lot.
At the end of our conversation, he asked whether he could pray for me, which I gladly accepted. That’s a part of character.
As we closed out the conversation, he asked if I had Eric’s number.
Keep in mind that I hadn’t spoken to Eric in years, and it was a long shot that his phone number was still in my phone and hadn’t changed.
I texted Eric before bed and received a call the following morning.
Eric is the other Soldier I was responsible for, assigned to me for his health and welfare.
Both Eric and Wade were Privates in the Army, and I was their Sergeant during my second tour in Germany.
I was a young Sergeant (E5) then, and was promoted to Staff Sergeant (E6).
When I think back to the early 80s, I had a great conversation with Eric for about twenty minutes.
After I hung up with Eric, I realized Eric and Wade set the stage for my next duty assignment as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Benning, Georgia.
I was an Infantry Drill Sergeant who had just finished three years with the 2nd Armored Cavalry in Nuremberg, Germany.
Every day, we stayed on high alert, and they would call a drill early in the morning when everyone was supposed to be sleeping.
Life teaches you lessons along the way, and we pass them on to others who later tell you how well you passed the test.
I can tell you all three of us retired from the military, and all have done well for ourselves.
I wrote in my gratitude journal about connecting with each of them and what God’s grace has bestowed on me.
Today, I challenge you to take time to reflect and reminisce about a recent phone call with someone you have lost touch with over the past year.
I can honestly say I have nothing bad to say about Wade and Eric because their character hasn’t changed from then to now.
Truly, I am blessed to connect with my soldiers.
“You can’t reminisce too much. Because you’ve got to keep pushing forward, you know?” — Daniel Caesar
“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” — Cesare Pavese
“Memories are the invisible threads that keep us tied to the people we love.” — Unknown
“It’s great to reminisce about good memories of my past. It was enjoyable when it was today.” — George Foreman
“CM”, this is so very TRUE to me as I have not spoken to you on a regular basis, for you and the Queen have very special place in my heart, mind, and life as a Big Brother and Friend. I will call or text you and 10 other people that I have not connected with in some time as I thank you for your insight and wisdom this morning 🤜🏽🤛🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Jeff,
You are a blessing, as you and I always connect on different levels.
I’m humbled by your words and look forward to our conversations!
CM
MC, As I read your message it resonates as its import to keep a pulse on one’s we hold dear in the small or big circle of life.
At times I often think about those types of call when I receive them. What role did I play in their life then and now. Life is short, it only takes five minutes to reach out to connect with that distant friend or mentor.
Thanks for reminding of why connection is important.
Ron,
Greetings,
You and I have a special connection; we have supported each other over the years in Toastmasters and continue to do so today. I am honored to get your input, as we definitely want to “keep a pulse on those we hold dear in the small or big circle of life.”
McKinley
McKinley
Thank you for sharing your recent experience reconnecting with people who were young Soldiers when you met them. I had a very similar experience a few weeks ago when a Soldier who was my driver and a part of the staff when I was the Brigade S4 for 3rd Brigade, 3rd AD and we deployed from Friedburg, Germany during the Gulf War. Like your situation, he established contact with me through my sister-in-law who mentioned me in one of her Facebook posts. He thanked me profusely for my leadership and for doing whatever I could to make myself available and to support the young Black soldiers. He told me I was a hero to him and other members of the S4 staff. He also asked if he could pass on my contact information to another former Soldier on the S4 staff who then contacted me expressing the same sentiments. It goes back to your words that people remember what you say, how you talk to them, and how you treat them. I told those now mature younger men who have become outstanding husbands and fathers that I owe my success to them and I’m very grateful for the blessing God bestowed upon me when he brought them into my life.
Sam,
Your words are powerful today as they relate to soldiers. We often don’t see the impact until years later. Reading what you wrote, and knowing the importance of both your time as Brigade S4 and the Gulf War, I know your leadership was critical. You are a hero. I know, and I’m already working with you on another project to support our youth in the Tampa Area. I look forward to the upcoming conversations next month.
McKinley,
I love to hear stories about the things we did 30 or 40 years ago that continues to have a positive affect on people and their lives. It show how mentorship is so impactful and long lasting.
Scott,
You and I know the importance of mentorship through our long-standing relationship over the years. I see so many things that continue to be long-lasting each time we connect, especially when I mention you and your cousins.
McKinley