I'm Major Jackson and this is the slowdown.

And this is the slowdown. Once, I ran into my high school friend Brandon at a gas station after many years apart.

He played first string on the football team, had a mischievous smile, and a gold-hooped hearing like one of his favorite

football players. His charismatic smile garnered him many crushes. He charmed his way with teachers through most of his classes. Some remained

unfazed. That's when he turned to me. He asked for help with papers and take-home tests. He did a lot of partying and waited until the last minute before completing his work.

At our graduation, he acknowledged his debt. He wrote in my

yearbook, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. He managed to matriculate into a prominent HBCU in Atlanta, so I was surprised to learn that he developed a drinking problem and had to drop out.

And here we were years later talking across a gas station island.

I jokingly asked if he still partied.

I could see on his face that I touched on the past he would rather forget.

He told me, those years were way behind him.

He was the father of two daughters.

He was a decade into owning his office cleaning business.

He was happy. I was moved by his growth and ashamed by my words, but isn't that what happens?

We presume people stay right where we left them. That implicit assumption often carries

judgment. In truth, most people go through many phases.

Today's poem reminds me that life shapes us

into authentic beings.

Looking behind at our own journey

can sometimes cause pain, but it can also liberate us.

This is a poem by Corey Van Landingham.

Post. by Corey Van Landingham. Post Winter.

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