Friends

A friend is one who walks in when others walk out

-Walter Winchell

This quote hit me hard. It is so true. Honestly true. I have been contemplating it for a long time. How should I write about this without getting angry? Without stirring up emotions that bring tears to my eyes? How do I write something meaningful?

How many friends do you have? Real friends?

I would like to think I have many, many friends but over the years I realize that friends come and go. You have probably received that email that talks about seasons. How some people pass through your life for a reason, how some people fade out of your life and how other people, friends, are there every day. They are a constant in this ever-changing world.

It is hard for me to let people go. I don’t like change. I don’t like losing a friend relationship. I have cried over this many times over the years. I have struggled with understanding people and their messages that they no longer find our once friendship important anymore. They have moved on, let our friendship die and I struggle with coming to their terms. I have to accept their decision. No discussion. Just action. I try repeatedly to open that door that they closed and I find nothing. I have learned to walk away from shut doors over the years and not without emotion. Strong emotions. As I walked away, I realized we are at different stages in our lives. We have little or nothing in common. Thus the closed door.

Does it have to close?

I think in any relationship, like a marriage, one has to work at it. You can’t just expect it to last forever. You grow and change and this affects who you are and all relationships you have.

In todays’ hi-tech world where one has no excuse not to maintain contact and build stronger relationships, we are experiencing even more erosion of communication. Young people today don’t know how to have an actual conversation face-to-face. They don’t know how to spell or speak proper English because they text using abbreviations. They can’t enjoy any sort of social event because everyone has a cell phone in hand.

Hey father, did you just see that great play your son made? No, too busy making that call on family time.

There is light within this heartache of mine. I have some dear, true friends that “talk” to me regularly. In fact, almost every day. I am lucky to have them in my life.

You know who you are. With hugs full of love - This quote is for you!