My mom always cautioned me about dropping friendships. She would talk about the blessing that having long-time friends is. My mom was a good friend to many. She made time for those close to her, and still today, looks forward to time with good friends.
As a little girl, I would often hide out on the stairwell when my mom hosted her good friends. I loved listening to their banter as they talked about their children, life events, hopes and dreams. Today I enjoy the same kind of conversation with my long time friends--we share so much.
There have been sensitive times with long time friends. Times when our friendships were challenged by personal struggle, pain, and change. Early on I didn't have the long view that I have now, a long view that makes us much more empathetic and patient with the affect that life's changes, struggles, and pain have on people. My life was so busy and full as a young person that it was difficult to understand how others were feeling at times, especially times when their experiences were so different from mine.
Now I realize that any good friend is a gift that enriches your life. The diverse experiences, good and bad, that friends experiences broaden our experiences too. Of course, there are times, however, where friends part--there are times when our lives sometimes simply can't continue with shared experiences and care for a large number of reasons. That will happen as life pulls all of us in different directions.
Soon I'll host a gathering of old friends--good people who give life good energy, care, and effort. I'll be interested in hearing about their families and interests at this point. I'll hear how they're navigating the years they are in now and what their hopes are for the future. I'll think about how our experiences connect. It will be an evening of storytelling, remembering the past, and looking forward too.
Friends and family bring life meaning, and it's important that we invest in these people with as much care and attention as we can. Onward.
As a little girl, I would often hide out on the stairwell when my mom hosted her good friends. I loved listening to their banter as they talked about their children, life events, hopes and dreams. Today I enjoy the same kind of conversation with my long time friends--we share so much.
There have been sensitive times with long time friends. Times when our friendships were challenged by personal struggle, pain, and change. Early on I didn't have the long view that I have now, a long view that makes us much more empathetic and patient with the affect that life's changes, struggles, and pain have on people. My life was so busy and full as a young person that it was difficult to understand how others were feeling at times, especially times when their experiences were so different from mine.
Now I realize that any good friend is a gift that enriches your life. The diverse experiences, good and bad, that friends experiences broaden our experiences too. Of course, there are times, however, where friends part--there are times when our lives sometimes simply can't continue with shared experiences and care for a large number of reasons. That will happen as life pulls all of us in different directions.
Soon I'll host a gathering of old friends--good people who give life good energy, care, and effort. I'll be interested in hearing about their families and interests at this point. I'll hear how they're navigating the years they are in now and what their hopes are for the future. I'll think about how our experiences connect. It will be an evening of storytelling, remembering the past, and looking forward too.
Friends and family bring life meaning, and it's important that we invest in these people with as much care and attention as we can. Onward.