This is the kind of Friend
You are –
Without making me realize
My soul’s anguished history,
You slip into my house at night,
And while I am sleeping,
You silently carry off
All my suffering and sordid past
In your beautiful hands.
– Hafiz
It’s been challenging to nurture friendship during this time of shelter at home or lockdowns or whatever that we go in and out of . In following the guidelines of “social” distancing, we wonder if the physical distancing could further separate our hearts and dry up the well of endearing warm and fuzzy feelings. To some, physical distance can challenge friendships and calls into question what is true real friendship? Is it about sharing an activity of fun together? Is it about partying? Is it about telling and sharing secrets? Is it like having a therapist – someone who is available to listen to your problems without judgement? Is it someone without pity but with empathy, who helps you in need when you are down on your luck, lost, sad or sick? And is it someone who celebrates and shares the joys?
For me, it’s like a period of “time-out”. This last year. This restrictive life since March of last year … There’s this general uneasy and resigned feeling that its an exceptional and unique year and so all these months since March of last year … poof … just does not count. Or does it? You are damn right, it counts – it’s tested – it counts like never before.
Feelings of doubts and disillusionment BUT with just one phone call disappeared into thin air. On the other end was a concerned friend of my mother’s calling to inquire on her. Her call restored my faith that human connections are real and everlasting and … appreciated over time and space, no matter how physically apart friends may be, they shared something … a bond; a mutual care; an affection to please the other, expecting absolutely nothing in return …These ladies are miles and miles apart in actual distance and age and … they are not childhood friends but met each other relatively later in life, perhaps, my mother being much older in her sunset years; and yet, still there’s Friendship, kind and sweet … I was touched.
Friendship is not fuzzy confused and lost during the Pandemic – it’s maybe on hold for some but … never lost.
Call a friend- reach out … today.
