I wonder no more

Ever wonder what happened to people that you have met along your way, that were a very important part of your life and your growth many many years ago, but because of the choices one made ways parted and have been seperate ever since, without ever really stopping to think of that person or wonder what ever happened to them, where they are at in their life now etc. And then of course there are people you couldn't care less about and what happened to them or you really have no interest in finding out where they are at now. Well this person falls definitely in the first category and since yesterday I wonder no more. I met this person while doing my apprentiship at the hotel in the Alps, he was at the same hotel doing a different apprenticeship but our ways crossed on many occasions and over time we became friends and shared many afternoons going shopping or for coffee.He brought me into many situations and experiences that I would have never had without someone like him, experiences that weren't always comfortable but nevertheless taught one a lesson in acceptance and being just ok with who you are. We spent many nights at the local disco and hanging out with the gang from the hotel,  or at our favourite "Almhuette" just across the Austrian border. We  had fun. To say that that time was without drama would be a lie, as we all went through our growing pains at that age trying to find who we are and what makes us tick. Nothing like parting ways than moving across the big ocean and leaving your family and friends behind. I remember on my last night at that little town, all my friends gathered in that little disco a few houses from the hotel for a farewell and  he gave me a big bouquet of red, yellow and black roses with little Canadian flag picks inbetween. It was priceless, I am sure somewhere in my picture box in Germany I have a photo of it still. That was the last time I saw and spent time with him. Over the next 25 years I often wondered what had happened to him, where his life was leading him, and all those questions, well yesterday by a fluke I found my answers. Thanks to the internet I had searched his name plenty of times but came out empty handed every time, until last night, when the little hotel in the Alps that we ones shared as our employer brought us back together. And wow what a life he has. Being who he was, it was apparent that he was an artsy kind of guy, he had equisive taste and an eye for the finer things in life. Turns out that after his apprentiship he has spent years in France to study art, now lives in Switzerland, has his own art studio, teaches seminars in the fine art of porcelain painting, has exhibit many of his work at international art shows, published a few books on this topic and many magazine articles. WOW I couldn't be prouder and happier for the young man I once knew. One just never knows! I can't wait to hear more....