Some of the most precious memories I have relate to first meetings with people who have been incredibly significant in my life. It always seems like an added bonus to have vivid recall of the very first moment of meeting the eyes of such a person, seeing their smile or feeling their touch.
How can we ever know that a person will go on to play a key role in our lives? I don’t have any scientific answers for this but I’ve certainly had some first meetings that have pierced my soul and have seemed determined to carve themselves on my memory.
Because of my fascination with first moments, I’ve long loved this poem:
I Wish I Could Remember that First Day
Christina Rossetti
I wish I could remember that first day,
First hour, first moment of your meeting me,
If bright or dim the season, it might be
Summer or Winter for aught I can say;
So unrecorded did it slip away,
So blind was I to see and to foresee,
So dull to mark the budding of my tree
That would not blossom yet for many a May.
If only I could recollect it, such
A day of days! I let it come and go
As traceless as a thaw of bygone snow;
It seemed to mean so little, meant so much;
If only now I could recall that touch,
First touch of hand in hand – Did one but know!
Are you a ‘First Moment’ Person?
SOCIAL BRIDGE ~ Jean Tubridy connecting with you from Ireland 
There are a few I wished I’d never met 🙂
Only a few, Roy? That must be a record.
But I’m thinking about the positive encounters here. Don’t throw cold water on that ( well do, if it’s sea water!)
You sort of ‘know’ , don’t you?
Hi Sue, I can’t get my head around it totally because there are a few that have slipped through and I definitely ‘didn’t know.’ But, generally speaking, the vibes in the ones that truly matter are very strong from the off.
They are for me too. Important either way, they make themselves felt.
Yeah, they make themselves felt alright!
🙂
IWe come into one and others’ lives for a reason..sometimes just to be there at a special moment if needed then to move on. Some relationships lasting longer than others.
Joni, I’m never sure about ‘things happening for a reason,’ but I agree that some relationships are more transitory than others and that that can be perfectly fine with both parties. It’s always nice, though, to be able to pick up again with people who were once significant, even if only for a while.
The cool thing is, that with this insight we can tune into each day from now on. Being ready for these moments and really being present to what is happening opens up a new awareness.
thank you Jean for bringing this to my attention! xo
Hi Val, what’s so exciting is that we never, ever know when one of these moments is staring us in the face. All about being aware of the possibilities, as you say.
Reblogged this on Perth Words… exploring possibilities. and commented:
Christina Rossetti is always a pleasure to read…
Thanks very much for the Reblog, Frances. Christina Rossetti’s poetry is brilliance itself.
Interesting question Jean. I have some memories of first encounters that are as bright in my mind as if they happened a moment ago. In other cases important people seem to fade into my life, and it feels as if I have always known them and cannot remember the first time we met. Occasionally there is a loud spiritual “Thunk” when I meet someone, a piece of truth snaps into place in my head, and I suddenly understand the world a bit better ad clearer than I did. Those I remember. That said, not everyone who will be important enters my life that way.
Hi Paul, I suspect your experience is pretty universal. Those ‘Thunk’ moments are special though!
“How can we ever know that a person will go on to play a key role in our lives?” I’ve often wondered the same thing, Jean. Thought provoking post and lovely poem…have a great weekend!
Thanks Lauren and hope you have a great weekend too.
Interesting! And it applies to blogs too — there is a first encounter with each of the bloggers whose work we end up subscribing to, reading, and feeling our lives changed by…
Sandy, thanks for this most interesting comment. I hadn’t seen bloggers in quite this context before.