friendship

Heartbreak

Backstory

In times like these, it can seem like everything is going wrong. Emotional hurts on top of all the larger issues can be overwhelming. Time to take stock and get real.

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Heartbreak – #171

As life progresses, you find it doesn’t always follow the path of fairy tales to the “live happily ever after” ending. You may be let down by the one person you thought would always support you. You’ll have your heart broken, probably more than once. You’ll break hearts too.

You’ll fight with your best friend; you’ll blame a new love for things done by an old one. You’ll speak harshly or you’ll be impatient. You’ll realize the time is passing too fast and eventually . . . you’ll lose someone you love.

How can you protect yourself? Take lots of pictures, digital and mental. Laugh too much, love like you’ve never been hurt. Be there, even for those that have let you down, because every 60-seconds you spend upset or angry is a minute of happiness you’ll never get back.

Don’t be afraid that your life will end. Be afraid that it will never begin.

P.S.

Life does begin, more than once. Your new beginning may be just around the corner. Or it may have already happened, and you just haven’t recognized it yet. Be open to the new experience. Explore it, look at it from different angles. Be willing to open up to love and friendship again. It’s worth the risk

[Show #171]

Making Friends

Backstory – Friends Old and New

We were counting our friends and what we like about them. We follow one of the adages learned as we aged – Make friends of younger people! We now have a wonderful combination of active, employed friends, newly retired folks and those who are older and wiser than we. We were celebrating the balance. How we wound up with this conglomeration of folks with varying ideas, interests and values became the source of this week’s story.

Consider This Show – Friends Old and New

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Friends are such an important part of life. Old friends and new friends . . .

It’s wise to keep building your community of friends throughout your life. So many ways to make new friends. Just keep your heart open and step up, when someone comes across your path who is worth keeping.

Let me introduce some of our new friends.

Last winter, we went to Elsie’s yard sale in Florida. We got to talking and enjoyed it. That chance meeting has resulted in a warm, new friendship, augmented by emails and photo exchanges.

Eight years ago, we noticed that another couple in a restaurant using the same kind of coupon we were. It started a conversation with Steve and Jeannette that still has us enjoying each other’s company.

Elizabeth and John invited us to dinner at their house along with George and Gail.

It led to a new friendship that is just beginning.

We met Cathie and Bob at a Canasta Club and enjoy each other outside of the club, many years later.

Some guests at Bill’s birthday party had been his friends for as much as 49 years. What memories they shared. It was beautiful. But so are new friendships.

Sitting on a bench in Wal-Mart, I started talking to the guy next to me; someone from out-of-town. Sharing values, we could see a connection. We have exchanged Facebook pages to get better acquainted.

New friends are out there, if we just take a chance and reach out. Remember, a stranger is just a friend we have not yet met.

[Show #619]

Surprise Party

How do you get 90 people to keep from giving away the secret, when you plan a surprise birthday party? That’s what I’m still trying to figure out.

My fiancé Bill and I entered a catering hall where I expected to attend a local fund raiser. SURPRISE – came the ear-shattering greeting, as we entered. Everyone was so excited . . . . and I was so confused. What were all these people doing here? It took moments for me to realize, it was a birthday party – for me! Good heavens!

My sister Karyn had worked on plans for months, in cahoots with my kids and her kids and local friends. Sixty-two people filled the hall and were suddenly all pressing forward for a hug or at least recognition of their presence. I was in a daze!

My kids were all there – from New Jersey and Michigan, most of the grand-kids and my precious great grandson. Seems that nearly a hundred people were in on the surprise. And not a single one gave it away. Not deliberately or by mistake. I was just amazed.

Also amazed by the love and affection it represented. It was humbling and heartwarming. Friends came to Virginia from as far away as Texas. I was so moved and excited and just wished we all had more hours, or even days, to spend together.

I don’t know how YOU feel about surprise parties, but this one was delightful, entertaining and memorable. Thank you so much.

[Show #602]

Making Time

An email arrived from a friend. It was an unusually long one. I realized immediately that my friend was getting something off her chest. So I printed out the message and curled up in an easy chair to see what was on her mind.

Seems she had just lost a close friend – suddenly, unexpectedly. He was someone she planned to spend more time with. She talked about how she intended to invite him and his family over for Thanksgiving, but time got away from her. She surely expected to see him during the Christmas holidays, but that didn’t happen. The following year had gone by so quickly and there was so much happening in her life . . . Well, you get the picture.

He was the friend she intended to keep up with but did not. And now the pain in her message was sharp. She felt she had failed him. And now there were no more chances to make up.

It’s so easy to get carried away with minutia each day. It is so tempting to have your day’s priorities include the business of living, but not the business of loving. Don’t let it happen to you.

If you make a to do list for each day, add an item reminding you to call a friend, or send an email. Reach out to them on Facebook or invite them to lunch. It will be worth it.

[Show #344]