Reconnecting

Sunday, September 24, 2023

I was invited to an outside, around “the fire pit,” birthday party for Kelli, a close friend of our mutual friends, Ashley and John. Yesterday after work, I went to the event and was surprised to find an almost large gathering. I knew some of those folks and felt comfortable. Ashley whispered that a surprise was about to occur. At seven o’clock, a handsome bagpiper playing “Happy Birthday” came rhythmically toward us, and then continued to serenade with Irish melodies.

He’s a retired Bend firefighter and among a group of retired firefighters that meet and play their bagpipes regularly, and they march in firefighting- and police-related parades. He explained some history of firefighting’s complex evolving and learning about ways to protect this, then even more vulnerable growing community.

He described starting to play a bagpipe at twelve years old, and that he’s never stopped nor wanted to change instruments. A cool fellow. I’ll try to learn more about that group of ex-firefighting bagpipers.

The party was great. I found myself among a mix of horsey and unhorsey folks. Our farrier usually avoids such gatherings but is close to Ashley, John, and Kelli, and was enjoying himself. The group was interactive, talking and laughing lots. I made some new friends, and later, while driving home still felt delighted for having been there.

Dear Friends: I find myself in a “reconnecting period” and am savoring it. Diana