A LIFETIME AGO

December 22, 2025

Jason Bonnicksen

A LIFETIME AGO

365 DAYS OF THANKSLIVING — DAY 22

“Bah-lingk.” I’d just fired up my PC when the notification rang. There were no words, just a picture from my old friend Jim. The luster photo, probably pulled from some old box, was a blast from the past, taken by Jim or Cindy on New Years Eve 1992. The old photo showed a young petty officer second class, his new bride, and his boss & boss’ wife. That photo was certainly a lifetime ago.

I wish I could remember my galley chief’s name. He’d served faithfully in the Navy for over 20 years, choosing to enlist in the Navy instead of being sent to the jungles of Vietnam. Senior was an “old salt” and a no-nonsense kind of man who ran a tight ship. But what I remember most, was a kind and compassionate man, one who ironically hailed from Wells (MN).

Jim and I shared a few messages back and forth, trying to remember the name of our galley chief. Jim only recalled that Senior’s wife worked across the hall in the Navy Exchange. As we chatted back and forth, Jim mentioned it’d all felt like an entire lifetime ago. That it has, Jim. That it has.

My wife and I met Jim & Cindy shortly after Danielle arrived at Naval Communications Station Cutler, Maine in the fall of 1992. It didn’t take long for Danielle and Cindy to hit it off. Within no time, the four of us had become the best of friends. We hung out often; shared meals; laughed and cried together; and celebrated as our first children came into this world. Thirty-one years — it does seem like a lifetime ago indeed. Where have the days gone?

As he aged also, King David —probably an old man at the time — wrote a truth many of us know well:

“Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.”

Psalm 144:4, ESV

In the 3,000 years since David lived, nothing has changed in that regard. Before we know it, life has flown by, and everything seems like a lifetime ago.

I miss our old friends Jim and Cindy. Although we stay in touch via social media, we haven’t actually seen one another since our oldest daughter was born. It’s been 31 years since we’ve played cards, went fishing, or drove our cars so fast it’s like the flew over the “Meddybemps” (rollercoaster-like hills) on northern Maine’s Hwy 191. As Jim says, “we’re getting old my friend.” That we are Jim, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Perhaps someday Jim and Cindy will drive out this way, or we'll head out east again. And we meet up, we’ll pick up right where we left off: playing cribbage, sharing a meal, and telling tale tales of yesterday, all the while making new memories to reminisce about.

I thank God for the friends we made a lifetime ago. While we haven’t seen many of them since way back then, they’re good friends all the same. A wise soul once said: “Life is like being on long train ride that goes on and on. Along the way, friends get on and off, but some some stay with you all the way.” I’m thankful for those that have been with us all the way.

Thank you, God, for Jim and Cindy Hickey, and all the good friends you put in our lives. Bless them and keep them all. Make your face shine on them, be gracious to them, give them your favor, and cause peace to reign in their hearts.

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