I am not the man I imagined I might be. Time changes everything. I’ve learned I was not necessarily the loving-intellectually-gifted-giant of high school joy I thought I was. Or intended to be.
Selfish. Lazy. Indifferent to many of the people I claimed to have passionately and unapologetically loved.
Time ushered in the unavoidable divide. They went their way and I went mine.
We reconnected in the days following the death of my mother. It wasn’t as morbid as it sounds.
I wanted to be strong for our children. I didn’t want my wife to shoulder a burden that was clearly mine to carry.
I was intimidated. I was nervous. How would they respond? What would they say? How would they act?
Hesitancy and bitterness were well-deserved and not unexpected. I failed each of them in a million ways. I was worried.
Susi. Donald. Jamie. Oliver. Beau.
They were gracious. They were kind. The forgiveness they offered was undeserved and bountiful.
We laughed and cried. We remembered. We shared several bottles of wine.
We’ve built upon what was lost for too many years. We live in different parts of the world but our group chat is constant. (And not appropriate for publication.)
“Jeffrey, why a blog?” A reasonable question… I like to talk. Storytelling is a big thing in our family.
These five – Susi, Donald, Jamie, Oliver and Beau – are as much family as my wife and our children. These are some of the people I love most. They love me.
I feel compelled to share some of our stories. In the days and posts ahead, I’ll introduce the world to five of the individuals I admire and love. I owe them at least this much.
When I talk about “The Group,” this is them. And you’re welcome.
Jeffrey Griffin 