Looking Forward, Glancing Back

I’ve always tried to maintain my focus looking ahead of me, so as not to miss anything, coming at me. I will admit; there were those times that I did blink, there were those times I ducked.
That’s not to say that I don’t remember those things that have happened during the course of my life.
Sure, maybe some of the names I might get a little mixed up, I might be a year off on the date, but I remember that they were for a time, sharing my life, as I was sharing theirs; adding to the whole experience for all of us.
Usually when I remember the adventure, the activity or the event… Misplaced pieces fall back into place, like some huge jigsaw puzzle.

Like that one, right over there!

Although not quite yet, it looks as if this on going, on growing jigsaw puzzle may almost be complete and we’re almost out of room on the table.

I never did find the top of the puzzle box to see what this puzzle was all about.
It never stopped me from moving forward and finding or making a place for each piece; knowing the importance each piece played…

Looking over the banquet table this puzzle has been spread out on over the years, I’ve notice a lot of the pieces that were there and in place, are no longer there. Top, middle and bottom… it seems to be full of holes.
Why is that?
Granted, some of those pieces were old and worn, but they were familiar and knowledgeable…
Others were beginning to show some signs of wear, but that comes with trying to complete the puzzle.
Where are those newer pieces, vibrant with color and clarity… newer then my piece… they still had that new sheen-look to them?
Why are they no longer there?

Oh… that’s me, that’s my piece, over there, right near the hole that almost forms the letter “A”, left side about midway up from the bottom… Yeah I know, it’s showing a little wear too, but look at all those pieces that fit around me!

Would you like to help me with this puzzle, so we might figure out what it’s all about?
Good!
And I’ll try and remember the names and some of the stories from some of the other pieces as we go along.

You do realize that's your piece right over there... your part of the puzzle now too...