Hey, Don't Forget About Next Week

Hey, it’s Tyler Head

I am slipping an opportunity into your inbox to start your Friday with a deep breath, a simple story, and, hopefully, a kind reminder.

Don’t want to read? Buckle up, sit back and plug those ears.

I’ll read it to you —> Listen Here

Hey, don’t forget about next week.

This is a text I received midway through my week from an old friend, whom I probably haven’t seen in 8+ years, but we text every now and then, and it’s usually very brief.

As you can imagine, when I received this text - I was a bit confused. In an effort to save face, I almost answered immediately with the kindest, most direct response of “Absolutely, how could I forget…”.

But, I actually didn’t open it and thought to myself, dang, I must have forgotten something that this fella is convinced I should or need to know.

I was floored.

……So I sat on it for the rest of the day and on into the night.

As I meandered through the rest of that day and evening, I partook in many different activities, like dinner with my best bud Katherine and pickleball with some local legends. Nonetheless, my mind wandered back to that text, “Hey, don’t forget about next week.”

Friend, I had indeed forgotten.

After a good 18+ hours of putting it off, I responded.

Not with the above-mentioned text, but with sincerity, I asked for a soft reminder - it must have slipped my mind.

The response text read a date, just a date.

It was the birth year of the sender of the message.

I was dumbfounded. And rightfully so.

This sweet friend of mine was reminding me not to forget. Better yet, commanding me not to forget. To not forget their birthday.

You may be thinking, Tyler…. come on, it’s been eight years. It’s okay. And you are right it is.

However, now a couple of days removed from that exchange - I am humbled and inspired. Thus, I am sharing this with you.

Humbled and inspired for a couple of reasons.

Inspired because of the courage.

What courage it takes to send a message like that.

What courage it takes to reach out to a friend whom you expect not to forget - not to forget one of the most special days we human beings lived and still live.

One could read this story and let their mind run in many directions. Maybe in judgment, maybe in defense, maybe in pity, or somewhere between them all.

But I challenge you to look at it from the perspective of the other.

The other who kindly, vulnerably, and directly expressed a need via a simple text message.

Humbled because I saw my reflection. Unlike this friend who boldly asked me not to forget. I often forget to reach out and ask for what I need.

Sometimes, I don’t even know how to ask for what I need.

So this week, I am reminded kindly and directly of my own desperate need to be be’d with.

Reminded that I don’t have to do it all alone, I don't have to be that strong, and I am not invincible.

I invite you to read that again and take a deep breath.

It’s true.

How freeing - that is. To not have to do it all on our own.

We could send a text, call, write a letter (yes, that still happens), or even voice face to face that we are in need.

Or simply, that you don’t want me to forget your birthday.

Odds are, the person you’re willing to share that with doesn’t want to miss it, either.

So friend - who requested that I not forget. Thanks for reminding me of what courage looks like.

Thanks for reminding me that it’s not weak to share my needs with others.

Thanks for reminding me that relationship takes two people who are courageously willing to practice being with and being be’d with.

& sometimes it just takes a command to those whom you expect to remember.

What could our lives and the lives of those around us look like if we continued to develop the courage to ask for what we need?

Talk again soon!

Thanks for being you!