The Healing Journey

September 26, 2023

When he arrived in New York City as a college freshman, Tony met his roommate Thom from Maine, and their adventure in the big city began. They weren’t sure how new college students were supposed to behave, but they were sure of one thing — they were both homesick. That first year of college was a learning experience. They laughed together, they drank together, they studied together. In the morning, when Thom made his coffee, he made a cup for Tony too.

But then, their friendship soured over a love interest. Jealousy tore apart two guys who were best friends. The following year, Tony found another roommate and later learned Thom had gone back to Maine. He was relieved that he wouldn’t have to look the other way whenever he saw Thom approaching on campus. He said a lot of bad things about him, that’s how angry he was.

Fifty years later, Tony was retired from a successful career on Wall Street. He got up early Monday morning for his dermatologist appointment. He put a pod in the Keurig, and in that moment the smell of the coffee brought him back to the college dormitory … and he thought of Thom for the first time in years. He sat down and googled him, and his obituary immediately came up. Thom had gone back to Maine and never left. He never married and apparently never had a career. It said that he died with his small dog, ever faithful, beside him. Tony was surprised to see there were no recollections from family or friends in the obituary. Was that all there was? He started to cry. A stupid argument had torn two friends apart, and instead of reconciling, it came to this. Such foolishness. All he could do was say, “Thom, I’m so sorry, please forgive me.”

***

Sometimes a memory from the past can cause grief and disrupt your life when you least expect it.