Missing Someone? Let Go of Pride

There is a line in the movie, Where the Heart is: It's too late isn't it? The question is a desperate, honest plea from one person to another.

How many of us have been in such a situation? How many of us have held back, denied honesty, and let time wither away fragments of relationships that were once so dear? Our pride would have us go through life without resolution because that would mean we would have to be the one to step out on a limb, reach out, and hope that our good will would be reciprocated - an often precarious position to be in, but one that takes the most compassion and strength.

Anyone can pretend that they don't need or want that certain someone in their life anymore, but if they do, they are cheating themselves out of happiness, and the moments that make life worth living.

Pride is an enemy because it keeps people from being truthful, and pride keeps people from reaching out for fear of rejection, embarrassment, anger, etc...

The costly consequences to that are sadness, regret, and sometimes loneliness.

It takes a gutsy person to say, "I think of you, I care about you, and I miss you."

Who wants to be the one lying on their death bed wishing they had one more chance? I once read a quote that said no one is old until regret takes the place of dreams. Time is not on our side. Time passes by taking reconciliation with her until its months and then years later. We don't have many chances so why blow the ones we do have?

Sadly, time, in many cases, seems to have the power to diminish feelings for another. Can a year or more apart make it uncomfortable to reconnect or pick up where both have left off? Will the conversations always feel so cautious or stranger like?

Why is it possible to reconnect with someone like a falling out never occurred, and in other cases, feel that the 'reunion' of a once very close relationship or friendship is now awkwardly strained?

Perhaps it's because the relationships that pick up where they left off are because the two parties involved aren't so uptight, and most importantly, don't hold grudges or keep score. In those relationships, the people involved can also look back at and laugh over their once acrimonious conflict whereas in other situations the relationships remains permanently scarred because resentments continue; some people are more concerned with being "right" than being forgiving.

Well, I'm over being right. I just want harmony with the people I care about and if that means taking a chance, I'm willing to do so because I'm tired of living with regret; I'd rather live with the people that mean something to me, and if they don't want me, at least I tried.

As for the movie, Where the Heart is: it ended on a happy note because candor was offered and then accepted. However, In the real world, not all attempts at resolutions will be that positive, but the intentions probably are; wouldn't you rather try than not?