| #ffffff;" /> | | | | Time and distance take their toll on memory. I could |
| Among the different people I’d met years ago | | | | vaguely recall mingling with the guests, all the while |
| was a man whose name was Gideon. Today, as I sat | | | | listening to their ideas about life on Earth, God, the |
| quietly on the porch gazing at the trees in the | | | | Universe and individual purpose. But that was a long |
| backyard, he came to my mind once more. Gideon | | | | time ago, and so many changes had occurred in my |
| was a very special person, indeed. I first met him in a | | | | life since then. No longer did I share the company of |
| parking lot not far from the Big City where I used to | | | | my wife of many years. My children were growing up, |
| live. Together we shared some special adventures | | | | and it seemed that Gideon and Marla dwelled in |
| and through him I was introduced to some of the most | | | | another time and space far, far away. Yet, there was |
| exhilarating experiences of my life. | | | | a part of me that knew I would meet them again one |
| I had often wondered what became of him. Through | | | | day. |
| the traumatic and trying times of the recent past, I | | | | Days dragged slowly into weeks, and weeks into |
| always hoped he would appear again, sharing more | | | | months. The emptiness that enveloped my life seemed |
| secrets of the universe, as he had done long ago. Both | | | | to precipitate inertia. My only desire was to do nothing |
| he and his colleague, Marla, had been a comfort during | | | | but sit and stare blankly. There are many things we |
| my times of financial difficulties, but it had been a long | | | | know intellectually but do not believe in our hearts. |
| time since I’d seen either one. The last time we | | | | What would it be like, I wondered, if Mardai appeared |
| met was somewhat like a dream where Gideon, Marla | | | | to me and told me how she was and what she was |
| and I attended a party with some noted guests. | | | | doing? |