The thing about life is we never know when it’s going to end.  As a metastatic breast cancer fighter, I know that too well.  But the truth is, you don’t need a doctor staring you in the face with a deadly diagnosis to make it real;  reality is that any of us could go any day.

Which makes what I did today all that much more important–I went with dear local friends to meet up with dear old friends who moved from our state and whom I haven’t seen in almost a year.  But when they lived near me they were a delight to be with, a couple I would rearrange my schedule to be with–and a duo whom I consider one of the funnest people I’ve ever met–

so we all got together tonight for dinner.

Now what I just stated took about 5 seconds to type–but in reality it took almost three weeks to plan:  we had to get calendars to jive, the weather to cooperate and last minute have-you-heard-froms to get in line.  And to add to the drama–at the last minute somebody’s child needed to be at a ballet rehearsal thingy.  When you have kids, that’s always the way.

But we all persevered:  we all wanted to join together, in varying manners of ‘want.’  Likely for some it was “oh, alright’, for others it might have been ‘this could be fun,’ and still for others it was “time’s a-wasting, let’s get this party started.’ I know which group I was in–can you guess?

And I’m here to type it was an absolute blast.  It was a great meal and great company—but much more importantly it was a moment of realizing and honoring who we were.  And who we are.  I mean, we were great friends until circumstances forced us apart.  But when we forced ourselves back together, the magic we shared was not only back, it was better than ever.

Regardless of my fabulous night, all I want to say is this:  if you have friends you love whom you don’t get to see much these days, whether they’ve moved or you’ve moved or your schedules just don’t jive any more–give them a call.  Say hello, catch up, say hi.  You never know–they could be thinking the exact same thing about you.

I don’t know why it seems so hard for us sometimes to make the effort to reconnect with old friends;  but I have news for you–if you get the chance to look back to an old friend, you may find that you’re laying the groundwork for a solid future friendship–

I know I am.

Ann’s books ‘pink tips’ and ‘Words To Live By’ now available in the SHOP section of this website.

Posted June 18th, 2011 by