Memphis Nights

I have gotten to be in Memphis the last few nights, again, through random connections with what turn out to be the nicest, kindest people! The only person who I knew lived in Memphis was an old friend from Jackson State, Alton (and I would have asked to stay with him except I hadn't seen him in 3 years and didn't know his living situation. Plus staying with guys is just a little bit trickier, ya know?!?)

Anyways, I contacted him to see if we could at least meet and catch up.
When we finally got to talk on the phone it felt like no time had passed, he answered "KATIEEEEEEEEEEEE" he sounded the exact same!

We decided to grab a drink after he got off work. When the time rolled around I texted him to ask if he wanted me to meet him somewhere but he told me he was already on his way to pick me up. When I walked outside he got out and opened my door (oh ya, that's right, the South has those things called gentleman!)
It was weird, first, because I'm not used to it and second because the Alton I went to school with was NOT this Alton. But I quickly caught on that this wasn't just for show, somewhere along the last 3 years he had had a heart change. He had left Jackson soon after me and returned to Memphis. He told me that he started takin school seriously, started getting involved with his church and community and decided he was going to smile more! (It sounds small, but as he shared his story with me I can't describe how evident God's fingerprints were...all over his life. I'm tellin you, this man is goin places!)

Anyways, when he dropped me off, he got out (and opened my door of course!)[guys take notes!] We had a good long hug and then just as we were about to part ways he asked if he could pray for me. It was dark and freezing, but we stood in the drive way, holding hands as he prayed words of encouragement and affirmation over me. I teared up as my mind filled with snapshots of when we were at school together. We would never do anything necessarily "bad" but we weren't our best selves in the least bit. And  now we're standing in the freezing quiet of night, holding hands, praying! you cannot make this stuff up...