The past couple of weekends helped remind me that true friendships last time, distance and life changes no matter what happens. I have seen it posted and read it but it always helps to see it for yourself. The weekend before last Kristen went down to Fort Lauderdale to visit her Aunt with her Dad. Even though she was only there for a day and a half she was able to reach a few friends from school and past jobs in the area and took some time to catch up. After many years those conversations with those friends where like second nature. Jumping forward to this weekend one of her friends from middle school chose to drive up here for the weekend. No real reason other than getting out of town and visiting a friend. This was one of Kristen's best friends during her early teens but was also one that she had lost contact with due to time and distance. But lo and behold through FaceBook they reconnected and after 27 years they just hung out and spent the weekend together. From the outside looking in I would have thought they spoke weekly. They sat on the couch drinking wine or coffee or whatever and just chatted. The similarities that there life paths had taken was uncanny. Not necessarily their social economic levels but the core principles that their life path is based on.
Shortly into their visit I myself headed to Fort Lauderdale for a day visit. I literally ran down for the day leaving at 3:30am and returning home by Midnight the same day. The trip was to help sort some things with my Dad and a quick visit with my Dad, Mom, my sisters, my nieces and shove in a little time with friends and my extended family. Breakfast with Dad was expected and visiting with Mom came next with my sisters and nieces to follow. As time has passed I have learned to cherish the times I get to spend with family no matter how short but it was important to me that I fit in some time for others that have come to mean just as much. Chuck and Misty called Mom Charmae, Gram and Gramps and with the help of our mutual brother from another mother, Robert, hosted and old friend for a few hours. It is truly amazing that conversations pick up as if you had just spoken yesterday. No hesitation, now expectations just natural conversation with the feeling of comfort. I am only sorry that this visit was rushed and I am looking forward to the next one sooner than later. I have promised myself that the next visit will encompass more of those friends from the past and again I am hoping it will be sooner than later. There are so many people in Fort Lauderdale that I want to rekindle that old friendship with and share that feeling that lasts a lifetime.
We are so lucky to not only have created these bonds but to be able to reconnect occasionally throughout the years. I can only hope to teach my children the importance of building and nurturing these relationships. How these special people that you surround yourself with help develop the true you. How important it is to keep these friends in your life for they help steer you through the tough times and they are the substance that your best memories are built on. The funny thing is. I'm sure that no matter what they do, they themselves with build those relationships, those bonds of a lifetime and probably won't even know it until many years have passed.
Until next time......
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