I've moved to Oakland's Lake Merritt after 12 years of moving all around the US, world and the Bay Area. My first day as a new resident in my old hood and Brian and I took a walk around the lake. We ran into three people I know: one each from 12 years ago, 5 years ago and this past year. It was like a walk through my distant past, recent past and present.
The best reconnection was the last one - when Brian and I walked into Lucky's grocery store and as I picked up an Odwalla the security guard looked me in the eyes and said, "what's your name?" I said, "my name? Amy" and he responded, "I'm Ben." and then I instantly remembered that he had been the security guard from the building I first lived in on Lake Merritt 12 years ago. Suddenly I realized that I was back in my old neighborhood and that I'm super happy with my choices.
