Recently, my husband Don and I took a road trip to his hometown in Kansas for his class reunion. I won’t tell you how many this was. We were pleasantly surprised to see over 125 of his classmates attend out of a graduating class of 325, and we were told 52 had passed away. Don talked with one of his classmates who checked himself out of the hospital to attend the reunion. He has terminal cancer and is undergoing specialized treatments.
I’ve been fortunate to accompany him for each reunion, starting with the ten years. Since it had been ten years since the last reunion, catching up with several of the wives with whom I have developed a friendship was fascinating. We took a few extra days to stay with Don’s best buddy from high school and his wife. Reminiscing about all the shenanigans they pulled during those four years in high school had us all laughing like there was no tomorrow, so much so that our bellies and cheeks were aching.
With so many conversations occurring simultaneously at the reunion, speaking loudly to hear each other, we definitely suffered from hoarseness the next day.
Have you taken any roads lately to rekindle old friendships? Even if it has been years since you conversed with them, some friends feel like you just picked up the conversation where you left it.
As I’ve stated before, moving 45 times before graduating high school, I said goodbye too often for comfort. It takes two people to stay in contact. If they touched your life somehow, you will remain friends forever. With social media so big now, it has made it much easier to communicate. Special pages can be started for any group wishing to come together, like your high school graduating class, your neighborhood cul-de-sac, or your prayer shawl group at church.
I know many things can get in the way of keeping up friendships, but don’t let them. Carve out a few minutes each Saturday or Sunday and email, text, or call someone to show them you are thinking about them. What a ray of sunshine it will bring to that particular person, and then they will continue spreading it.
I’d like all of you to know that I hope I bring some sunshine into your day when you read my blog and that you continue to read it and forward it to others you think might like it. And remember that an attitude of gratitude is the best medicine for staying positive during these trying times in our world.
Live every moment
Laugh every day
Love beyond words
All my best,
Julie
Nice, thought-provoking piece. As I get older, more and more of my friends lay on the other side of the grass, including my two best friends from college.