The older I get the more I appreciate the importance of sustaining lengthy friendships

billheitland.com

There’s the practical rationale: You have a long history of shared experiences as  kids and young adults. It’s important to set aside at least one or two days a year to catch up.  But the more complex lives become, the harder it is to find a date that fits into everyone’s schedule. Then again, if you wait too long, a sense of anxiety surfaces. What if, after all this time, there’s not much to say?

 Or, what if we’re so consumed with the density of our current lives that the old stories have no more relevance?

You cast aside those misgivings and meet anyway. You figure if it isn’t going well, you can invent some excuse and leave.

Once you hear that familiar “remember when we…”, the doubt vanishes and somehow the time gaps close enough to inspire your embellished take on the story. The tales are flowing with such warmth and spirited banter,  it feels like you’re sitting in someone’s living room.  You can’t believe it’s been three hours and you’re still having a great time.  When was the last time laughing made your face hurt like this?

You make a point to announce that less time should go by before the next meeting. On your way home, you’re thinking more about lighthearted  moments of the past than the pressing concerns of today. You needed that.

Ah, friendships!

Bill Heitland is the author of three books: Adversity’s Early Light, Chance Evers and Two for the Seesaw,

For more go to billheitland.com

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