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Yup. Went through that recently, while closing down the house and moving away. I met a guy at the local landfill, while tossing away stuff my son had hung on to for over 20 years, and had left to me to clean up all by my lonesome. I was sweating and straining, and grumbling about how angry I was at my boy for leaving me all this stuff he neglected to clean up and toss out. I was absolutely livid. This guy said to me, "Aw, don't be mad at your boy. Life's too short for that. I wish my boy was still around. Little gal' of about sixteen killed him in an auto accident 'couple months back." I was speechless. It was a heartbreaking moment, that made all my problems trivial by comparison. As we stood there talking about our respective sons, it was revealed he was a recent arrival to the area, and had come from the very same place where I was headed. It was like we were mirror images, changing places. We were both about the same age, and same stage in life, as were our sons. Both our boys had shared the same interests. The similarities between us were numerous and quite startling.

There are some moments in life when you simply cannot deny that the Good Lord has guided your footsteps to people He wants you to meet, and to situations He wants you to experience. I've certainly had my share over the years. Accordingly, when the guy at the landfill asked if he could have some of the "junk" my boy left behind; the broken toys, sports gear, and ephemera of his own son's childhood that I was about to toss into the crusher, I gladly consented. As I watched him silently walk away, looking down at the stuff cradled in his arms as if he was carrying his lost boy, the landfill's giant trash compactor roared to life and began crushing the accumulated memories of other people's lifetimes. Those are moments, sights, and sounds that stay with you always.

Thank you for sharing that, it was deeply moving.

That is a profound and touching story. It is to your credit that you recognized the moment for the epiphany it offered.

Wow. That made me cry. I’ll be giving my boys extra hugs today!

Exceptionally well written.

FReegards!