Many from my generation, the pre-boomers who are now known as New Seniors, were the first in to venture away from home in our early adult lives. We were born in the Great Depression or during WWII, so starting life during this extended period of uncertainty may have influenced us to look outside our communities as we began our careers. Those who did, like me, may find themselves trying to reconnect with family and friends in order to close some doors and open others as we move to the next phase of the great continuum of life.

A basic human need to reconnect may have been what prompted my decision to head to the east coast to visit with old friends and some family members, many of whom had not been seen in years - 15, 30 and more, as a matter of fact. The result was personally gratifying, I believe, for everyone involved. Seeing how people evolved, handled the ups and downs of life, being able to laugh and cry about the past while sharing our hopes and dreams for the future caused me to wonder why it took so long to get back together.

Maybe we were never truly separated except by geography; because upon arrival, we were able to jump right into what seemed like the continuation of a conversation that had been on pause for an undetermined period of time. And, I quickly realized that had we continued to miss opportunities to get together, we would miss the joy of the history we shared - one where all good things seemed even better. A new honesty and exciting freshness develops when people focus on the lives of others, which after years apart takes on a different kind of importance, and allows us to return to the pleasantness of the past without dwelling there.

But all vacations must come to and end. When the visits were over, we all promised to stay in touch in the months and years ahead. I hope we do, because the good times and the good feeling are too important to let slip away and become hazy memories. In fact, the joys of reconnecting have prompted me to reach out to others, who I have also neglected to seek out, and contact them. The physical act of calling or emailing them has had a positive effect on me.

As a result of these efforts, I've received one phone call back and email from another. So the renewed communications is already producing results. I also mentioned the trip and my reconnection efforts to several close friends and family members. They thought it was a good idea and plan to do the same. I'm trust they experience similar results.

Wouldn't it be great if each of us just connected with one person from the past each week and opened the lines of communications once more. It only takes a couple of minutes, and the payoff for both of you is priceless. You might even be as lucky as I was; because me cousin, who now lives in Virginia Beach, just sent me the recipe for the best tasting crab cakes, ever. I know, since she made them when I was on my recent trip back east.

Don Potter, a Philadelphia native, was born in 1936 and is a 50 year veteran of the advertising agency business. Now living in Los Angeles, he has written two novels in retirement, frequently writes on marketing issues, and has a blog dedicated to pre-boomers (those born between 1930 and 1945).

Read more articles for and about pre-boomers with thoughts, comments and opinions designed to spark thinking, foster discussion, and stimulate debate by logging on to http://www.pre-boomermusings.com.

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