I had the dumb luck and good sense to call a friend of mine “out of the blue”. The call may have been inspired by our mutual appreciation of a particular beverage but more so than not, it was driven by a real appreciation of life.

For anyone who remembers the lyrics to “Wear Sunscreen“, there is one bit of sage advice,

“Understand that friends come and go, but what a precious few should hold on.  Work hard to bridge the gaps and geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.”

If asked which friends I’d call for the greatest or worst news of my life, there are a few that come to mind - Oregon, Maine, Maryland, and Washington (both the district and the state) would be on the list as would New Hampshire and Massachusetts. It may not seem like a lot, but the depth and breadth of these few is astounding. Obviously there are lots more and I try (not too well I must admit) to stay in touch with each of them. FYI, feel free to harass me if you feel left out!

For me, what sets apart *real* friends from usual friends and a quaintnesses is the ability to chat for hours about nearly nothing and yet feel happy to have spent the time or to call “down” and close “happy and uplifted”. The time is just open. There is no “catching up”; rather, the ramblings bounce from topic to topic, as if an idle conversation over coffee or a cocktail.

So, If you are feeling up for a challenge, pick up the phone (don’t even think about using email). Find a long lost number in your Rolodex. And dial, dial, dial. (then smile, smile, smile). Consider this a new “top” on your to-do list if you dare <grin>

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Posted in Friends, Social Software, Work/Life |

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