Time Capsule

At my highschool graduation, my English teacher handed out the “time capsule” essays that she had us write at the start of grade 9. They described our lives at the time; our favorite activities, music, movies, shows, and our best friends.

Naturally, my current group of friends was vastly different from the list on the page. But there was one name on the list that stood out. The name was “Josh”. He stood out because I had no idea who he was.

I could not, for the life of me, remember ever having a friend, let alone a “best friend” named Josh. My parents and friends didn’t know who he was either. But there he was, one of my seven or eight best friends from grade 9. It was as if he was ashamed of me, and subsequently erased himself from history and all recollection.

I sometimes wonder who Josh was, and what he might be like if we met again today. I hope I’d recognize him.

3:41 AM

I find the hours between 3AM and 5 AM to be the most foreign hours of the night. If staying up late, I normally go to bed by 2, or 3 at the latest. And if getting up early, its never before 5. They are the forsaken hours that don't belong to either the late night hours preceding, or the approaching wee hours of morning.

Last night, I woke up at 3:41 AM. I noted the time specifically, because there seemed to be no real reason for my being awake. I wasn't hungry or thirsty, not too warm, not too cold, and didn't have to go the bathroom. But I was wide awake.

I got up and quietly stole out of my room into the kitchen. There was snow on the ground that was bare when I went to bed, and more was falling. That was pretty cool. My roommate was snoring subtly in his room. I had some water from the Brita filter, and sat on the couch, bathed in pale blue light from snow-filtered street lamps. I was at a loss as to what to do with myself. I was completely alert, not tired whatsoever. I couldn't remember this happening ever before.

I then had an idea that may have already been obvious to some. I prayed. Lately, I've been very busy, but still seriously neglecting to give time to prayer. I gave thought to the matter as I went to bed the night before (without praying). I guess God woke me up and said "Don't have time for Me? Then lets make some time."

Thank you, God. That was fun and refreshing. Lets hang out more often.

I can’t remember the last time I threw up. It was probably a couple years ago at least. I also can’t remember the last time I was stung by a bee or wasp. Maybe its because I’m just lucky. Maybe its because I’ve been horribly paranoid about Bees ever since one stung me for NO REASON.

Everyone says “Michael, bees don’t sting you for NO REASON. You must have threatened it or gone near its hive or something” Those people are dead wrong. It happened when I was about 6 or 7 I think. I was playing mini golf, walking from one hole to the next. I spotted the bee flying toward me from the opposite side of the course, I stopped and watched it for a good 3 or 4 seconds. It flew straight at me, landed on the tip of my nose, and stung me for NO REASON. No it was not a dream, no I’m not making it up, yes I remember correctly.