
I’ve been feeling sorry for myself lately because I have lost a lot of my friends, or that many of the ones I have are having really tough times. Not just ‘aquaintances,’ or ‘nice people to pal around with,’ but long-term true friends, those deep-in-the-gut friends you have shared with over many, many years, who you would drop everything and go help when possible, and know that they would do it for you, as well.
I have received texts and emails, and even obits lately and just felt sadder and sadder.
All of a sudden, though, it occurred to me that I need to give myself a swift kick (or maybe more) in the pants!
Just as I FINALLY changed the focus of our visits to Harvey from MY changed lifestyle and plans to how can we help HIM have a brighter day when we are there – what can we do to make him more comfortable, what can we remind him of that might bright a smile to his face, what can we show him that might give him a beautiful memory –
I need to realize that this isn’t about ME. The world does not revolve around me or my feelings. And if it DID – I should be thanking the powers that be that I had the privilege of KNOWING these fine people. I got to share their lives for a beautiful time. I received love from them, and gave it back in return. What more beautiful gift is there?
Nothing lasts forever. We should be mindful of that, showing those we love in every way we can think of how much they mean to us. How joyful we are to share some time with them. How lucky we feel to know them and occupy the same planet. How rich we feel and how full our hearts are.
There are people who go through life never making a close friend. They feel alone, that there is no one who might help them if needed. They feel empty inside, maybe hurting or numb, maybe afraid to reach out and take a chance. These are the people we should feel sorry for.
Yes I will miss these people, but how rich I have been in friends! How many kind hearts and souls I have known! I will concentrate on the memories we built, thankful that we had a special bond. I will carry them in my heart, and in my pockets wherever I go. I will let the current friends I have know how I feel – maybe until they ask me to stop – that it’s embarrassing them. That would simply make me smile. What a lucky person I am!

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