It’s a shared experience. Take it all in.
The experience of witnessing a treasured moment in time with your crew or circle. When you see the experience as it’s happening and happy to be present in it.
There is so much to be gained from being aware of a moment as it’s happening. When you put in the extra effort to fully make note of the experience with all the details included. Intentionally creating a “y’all remember when…” memory. Sharing a moment with good people deserves a special spotlight. It needs a little asterisk next to it. A book mark holding a highlighted page of the story. It makes it easier to come back to later. It encourages presence. It reminds you how good presence feels since we are so often lollygagging somewhere else. In another time. In another memory.
Whether it be overlooking my favorite city from our periodic out of town hiking adventures to overlooking a crowd of people in a smoke-filled room with a well-seasoned DJ who knows all the new jams but went to college in the early 2000’s so his throwbacks hit a sweet spot.
I love that feeling specifically shared with the gang. A collection of one of my favorite groups of people. The squad.
Sometimes I wonder what everyone is thinking about. I say a little prayer for the people I’m with. Gratitude in overdrive. I’m thankful for this moment turns into “I’m thankful for everything”. I list all the things. God is gonna cut the music on; It’s time to get off the stage; “Oh, and I’d also like to thank…”
Right before the feeling comes to pass I stop and think “Ooo, it’s happening”. Those fleeting moments when you find yourself actually being where you’re at while you’re there. Those seemingly small less awe-like moments when my friends and I are all under the best influences. Secured a hard to come by seat at the “lounge” that charges a fee to do so. Hookah acquired. The guys are here. The honorary squad members who’ve become gang ever since taking the leap to be permanent plus ones are in the building. Our favorite straggler even showed up who usually has to hear our complaints on how he has been spending all his time with his “other friends” before we hug. Is that ‘March Madness’ playing in the background?
In squad we trust.
A shared experience of awe when standing at that mountain peak. When you wake from the wonder for a brief moment you notice how long you’ve been standing there. Standing and staring at that view with all your favorite people. Everyone takes a breath because the hike was a little further than the organizer described but it’s a wonderful sight to see with a wonderful group of people. I’m not ready to leave. Are they ready go? The hush still hovers in the air. No one says a peep. We just stare. Witness. Take it all in together. Individually, but as a collective.
Even the shared come down.
The leisurely walk back to the cars bouncing with recounts of the night or hike we just had deserves mention. The vibrant and colorful convo that takes place as we pile into the DD’s car spoken on partially deaf ears is sometimes my favorite. We individually take turns pointing out and recounting what we all saw, what was really funny, and how we gotta do that again.
It’s a shared experience. Take it all in.
