Over time our relationships change, and as those relationships change it's good to take time to redefine those relationships. I thought about this recently as I happily observed one of my children. He's now an adult living his life in many interesting, responsible, enjoyable, and mature ways. I'm no longer the mom leading the way, but instead a mom who is there if he needs me and a mom who enjoys his company in so many ways. This is a new chapter in the mother-son relationship. Similarly as I increasingly care for my elderly parents, our relationship has changed. Now, I have a new role with my parents--in many ways, I'm the parent and they are the "children" since I am more of a caretaker than their child in so many ways.
As we grow and change, our relationships with so many of our friends and relatives change too. For example, a cousin who was seemingly much older than me when were children is now a dear friend since our lives are so similar. Friends who I became distanced from due to geography and life's parenting duties are now closer since our children are adults and we have more time now to return to our college-days' friendships. Siblings who were close due to common life events in some ways have become more distant due to changes in our professional and personal responsibilities as well as location. As life changes so do our relationships.
At times these relationships may become strained due to the changes--we may want more from friends and relatives than they are ready, able, or willing to give. We may not understand where people are at or what they need due to how different their life experiences are from ours, and our own needs and dreams at times may prohibit us from being the friend or relative others want us to be. When this happens, rather than break those relationships, it's good to take some time off to reassess until we have the energy and understanding to redefine those connections.
In some ways, relationships are different today due to the high tech age. We are able to stay in constant contact with so many people today via social media, yet time hasn't changed. So we have to figure out what's reasonable with respect to our connections--we can't be in 24-7 contact with everyone we know in meaningful and positive ways. There needs to be a balance with that, and everyone will strike that balance in personal, unique ways.
Relationships will change over time. If we want those relationships to stay strong and positive, we'll have to redefine who we are together now and then. And, we'll have to do what we can to support those positive connections. Onward.