Xavier and I first met when he was 7 years old. I was very close to his family during the years that his father had serious health problems and his mother needed a supportive friend. But when things got back to normal, we pretty much went our separate ways. Xavier and I had not seen one another since he was 11. He is now 24. But yesterday was OUR day.

Xavier's mother Pat is Program Coordinator at the Hannan Center for Senior Learning where I'd been working on my Active Elders photo essay since last June. She encouraged him to attend yesterday's opening reception for my exhibit. I recognized him immediately and we found time to have a real heart-to-heart talk.

Xavier and I always had a special bond and it has only grown and deepened. It may seem strange that we had such a long time apart, but I now see that both Xavier and I had to travel some tough paths before we could reconnect. He describes his path as having been from hell and back. As we talked knee-to-knee, he kept saying, "I've missed you SO much." Well, so had I.

It's such a gift to have this "old soul" back in my life. I know I have things to learn from him.