Sweet, Sweet Friends

Old friends, new friends, young friends, long-term friends, dear friends, fast friends, I love them all. Today I had lunch with a wonderful group of Mah Jongg students turned friends. For the record two of them have had lunch with me three days in a row, as they never want me to possibly eat lunch alone.

The greatest joy of my mah Jongg teaching career is the many friends I have made. These friends are generous, kind, fun, hilarious, witty, smart and great company. I may have only known them a few years, but I cherish them so. Thanks to Mary Jo, Bit, Jill and Holly for being the T4 gang, minus Mary Ann. I’m just always sorry I only get an hour break for lunch and I can’t linger and gab with you all longer.

I got home from work to discover the most heartfelt note from my BFF Suzanne. It was so sweet to get a written note, not text, or email. We had four good different visits together between Grace’s wedding and Maine this summer. But her note of love for our 45 year friendship really made me happy.

This summer I have two friends going through significant health issues and I have been keeping up by reading their daily messages and seeing their photos. One common thread is how much their friends have come through and provided and continue to provide for them. They both have wonderful families who are fantastic support, but friends are the icing on the cake.

My best advice to people is don’t ever think you have enough friends and stop making new ones. Also, having friends of different ages, and life stages is highly desirable. One of my friend’s older sister told her that all her friends are moving to nursing homes or dying off and she and her husband are far from either of those two realities. She told her sister, “We decided we just have to get some younger friends.”

Don’t wait to get younger friends until all your old friends die off. It’s too hard then. Get younger friends now, and older friends and stay in touch with your current friends. It may feel like it is a lot to do, but real friends can go a long time between conversations and you will pick right back up from where you left off as if a minute has not passed. That’s how you know they are a true friend.