Thursday, May 19, 2011

When The Past Catches Up With You ...

Have you ever been on a long road trip?  Cruising in the fast lane, "going with the flow of traffic", making good time? Then realize it would be nice to stretch your legs, maybe use the bathroom or get something to eat, so you find a good place to stop?  Then, after you are back on the road, back in the fast lane, you catch up and pass the same car you passed 50 miles ago?

Then that car becomes your highway arch-nemesis?  Where it seems for the entire length of the freeway through the next state, you are ever "leapfrogging" with this clever rival?  Your bladder gets a little fuller as you try to hold off as long as possible to make your next stop, knowing you will lose the valuable lead you have attained.  Your stomach growls a little louder in protest to your oversight of the last 6 food signs.  Your travel-mates grow restless unaware of the highway battle that is ensuing.

My past is like that.  There is a period of my life (of which the time frame is kind of hazy) in 1994/1995 where my decision making skills were, shall we say, being challenged.  And there have been many times where there has been something, sometime, somewhere, that has reminded me of those days.  And then I get on with my life and leave those memories behind.

However, the problem is, that many of my guilt and shame issues come directly from that time period.  Mainly around sex.  So, "getting on with my life", has really been more along the lines of, "stuffing these emotions and memories in a box and trying to leave it behind and never think of it again".

Recently, via Facebook, someone "found" me from the era of my life, which in turn has become other people finding me.  Which in turn has become being tagged in a picture or two.

My sister (who has her own blog) can confirm or deny if she is in this photo

So now, it feels like instead of "leapfrogging" my Highway adversary, they have pulled into the same resaurant I have stopped at and are walking through the front doors.  Our eyes lock onto each other with an unspoken understanding.  

Perhaps it's time I introduce myself.