Be a fly on the wall of any high school or college reunion and you’ll no doubt see exactly what you described in this post; men and women, a little grayer, a little heavier perhaps, smiling and laughing together as they remind one another of a time in their lives that is no longer; an important time because those experiences, good or bad, have been instrumental and necessary to bring them to where they are now. And, if they are strong people, they can enjoy this temporary reversion back into another time and enjoy it simply for what it is and take away the joy (or sadness) those memories bring with them. During that time they will also no doubt share what is happening presently in their lives only this time they have even more to share – spouses, children, maybe even grandchildren. Once that evening or weekend is over, they will go back to their now lives happier, refreshed, maybe even a little stronger and more grateful – grateful for that time, grateful for the opportunity to connect in a real way, and perhaps grateful for the path that has led them to this now. There is equal value in both memories and the now. They are not mutually exclusive.