This song flowed into being as I thought of my many friends with whom I share a great deal of time, wide ranging interests, a love of life, and love for each of them. The song is dedicated to Patrick, who always manages to surround himself with interesting people. People with a wide range of ages, backgrounds, jobs, interests, and lives. Unknown people and people whose faces are known by millions. Patrick’s love for people is only outshone by his love for dogs and his love for conversations with people and dogs. I was thinking about our Tuesday and Friday coffee meetings and these words came tumbling out, one after another. They raced through my mind and onto this page with only small pauses as I searched for a right or rhyming word. The thought of the conversations that brought these words to life and the thought of the people with whom I spend much of my time brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eyes, as I remember those with whom I can no longer speak face-to-face.
May you feel and recognize God’s hand moving in your life, today and always!
John
Connections
Connections are what happens
When two loose ends meet
Sparks may fly,
Common int’rests rise
When I see you
And you see me
Celebrate the mystery
It’s found through all of history
Friendship, love, and God,
Enthralling, captivating, odd
Endearing and exciting
So much so, at times it’s fright’ning
Why do I have so many friends?
Unlike most any other men
Mentors, Mentees, equals too
All people just like me and you
Drawn together as magnets are
By fascinations near and far
By topics ranging far in scope
Like love and hate and fear and hope
Back and forth, and here and there,
Through space and time and every where
Scintillating, complicating
Mind expanding, rushing, waiting
Formless, yet precise, exacting
Introspective, yet distracting
Filling up my days and nights
Yet somehow, always, feeling right
My thoughts and songs are drawn from these
Conversations that fulfill and please
The hours filled with laughs and cares
Always treasured, always shared
Who’d have thought retirement
Would simply mean my time well spent
With fam’ly that I’m so proud of
With people whom I’ve come to love
My son, my wife, my many friends
May this continue ‘til this life ends
God hear my thankful prayer!
Connections are what happens
When two loose ends meet
Sparks may fly,
Common int’rests rise
When I see you
And you see me
Copyright March 19, 2026. John Lage, Jr. All rights reserved.
