old wars into new battles, shotguns to knife fights, distrust to first dates. He noted that there would be tears, that I'd cry more than most, the world would make my heart ache terribly so. He encouraged me to be patient, to continue marching to the beat of an old drum that is steady and powerful. He looked to the heavens, prayed for his purpose and for mine, quietly leaning into the sun and soaking in its warmth. And in that moment I knew we were the past and the future meeting somewhere in the present to share a moment of solace.