I recently re-watched the television series ‘Lost’, a television program that aired early in the 21st century, from 2004 to 2010. I submit to you that I caught a few episodes here and there somewhere between 2009 and 2010. I was not as fully committed to the characters or the plot then as I was this time. In very brief form, it follows the lives of a group of survivors who boarded a plane in Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles. Along the way their plane crashed on an island. The show centers around the survivors and their journey to go from lost to found.

If you have a wandering spirit, enjoy the philosophy of epistemology, or enjoy a riveting storyline with quality character development you will not go wrong investing time to watch the program. I will say, however, that it is easy to fall down numerous rabbit holes when it comes to fan theory, namely the internet diaspora that continues to debate many aspects of the plot, characters and ultimate meaning of the program. You, my fair reader, are welcome to journey those paths.

After awhile I gave up trying to make sense of most of it and rather I relished in the character development and deeply intense dialogue between the characters. What enriches the program is how you get to know the characters so very intimately and more importantly how they grow together — from being complete strangers stranded on an island following a plane crash to experiencing so many obstacles in their struggle to survive.

The series finale had me on the edge of my seat leaning on every word. The finale dialogue between the main character and his father caught me going back to listen to it again and again. It, for me, answered the true purpose of the show. It is also a touching tribute to life. A dialogue that transcends time (no pun intended for all the Lost fans) to bring us back to this moment.

I see it as an opportunity to take stock of the relationships in our lives — with our spouse, children, parents, brothers, sisters, anyone with whom we come in contact and engage in some meaningful way if even for mere seconds. Endulge yourself:

“Everything that has happened to you is real…all those people…are real too…”

Pilgrimage teaches us that every moment is real and has a reason. We are not alone on this journey — friends, family, strangers — thy are real too — their experiences, emotions, and journeys. They are all entwined on our journey. It can’t be taken for granted. Never lose sight of how experiences and interactions shape who we are and transform us into who we become, which hopefully is the best version of ourselves that God intended.

“The most important part of your life was the time you spent with these people…nobody does it alone…you needed them and they needed you…”

The heart of the matter. It is not going to be the possessions, accolades or accomplishments that rank the highest and best. It will be the time I spent with you, you with me; the time we let each other “in” to help heal when wounded to celebrate when elated or be when jut plain bored. We do not do it alone. When we arrive at the end of this journey I imagine that what will mean the most are the times spent with people and not things.

“…to remember and let go”

One of the hardest aspects of pilgrimage is the constant movement, coming and going — saying hello only to say goodbye. Even if our meeting is fleeting, lasting shortly let it not deter us from remembering sweetly the moments together. Even though we have to let go we know that we can let go for now with hope and grace that our paths will cross again in time.

Everything that has happened to us is real. The most important part of life is the time we spend with people, because no one does it alone and whether our time together is life long or fleeting these moments we will remember so we can let go and move on.