"Optima dies... prima fugit."

The line above was written by Virgil and means roughly, "the best days are the first to flee." This phrase appears on the title page of Willa Cather's "My Antonia." It also seems to fit Cather's theme. The book is about a man's childhood friend, a Bohemian immigrant by the name of Antonia. Growing up during their youth, life ultimately takes them in different directions, but the friendship they have remains solid. After reuniting after a number of years apart, Jim Burden reminisces with his friend...

"Do you know, Antonia, since I've been away, I think of you more often than of anyone else in this part of the world. I'd have liked to have you for a sweetheart, or a wife, or my mother or my sister - anything that a woman can be to a man. The idea of you is a part of my mind; you influence my likes and dislikes, all my tastes, hundreds of times when I don't realize it. You really are a part of me."

She replies:

"How can it be like that, when you know so many people, and when I've disappointed you so? Ain't it wonderful, Jim, how much people can mean to each other? I'm so glad we had each other when we were little. I can't wait till my little girl's old enough to tell her about all the things we used to do. You'll always remember me when you think about old times, won't you? And I guess everybody thinks about old times, even the happiest people."

I've been fortunate enough in my life to have some friendships similar to this. That no matter the time and distance placed in between, nothing can diminish those memories (some of my "best days") and the beauty of lasting friendship.

Heed or No?

Ever feel the prompting of God's Spirit, close your ears and walk the opposite direction? I did that this last weekend. John and I talked about going to see a movie. We debated several movies and finally landed on one that looked to be funny, though likely would be a bit crude. I knew the Holy Spirit was prompting against it, because I even asked John about the rating on that and another movie we had been comparing. But, finally, I gave in. How bad could it be? I can stomach a few crude jokes or scenes in the name of entertainment.

Well, we sat through maybe half of the movie and were disgusted a number of times by the subject matters and the visuals. At some point, we finally got up and walked out of the movie (way after we SHOULD have walked out). What a waste of a perfectly good $18.00. And it's sad to know I'll never get that hour of my life back.

Lesson reaffirmed: When the Holy Spirit prompts, follow It's leading.