I hadn't seen her in more than 10 years but tonight when I met my old dear friend Red (guess what colour her hair is) for dinner, time and space collapsed and it was as if we had never been apart. My friend S set it up. In another lifetime - two decades ago -- we all worked together. Now these two women are accomplished executives and I get to say that I knew them "before they were ..."For three hours we swapped work philosophies, updated one another on our parents, our husbands and our children.
It was a little odd to cover ten years in such a short time. Our lives look quite different when they are condensed, with time and space removed. As I was explaining the twists and turns that my own life had taken, I started laughing ... it all sounded so sorted ,,, but as I explained, it felt so normal to live it.
Today when I was telling my work colleague about my dinner to reconnect with my friend, she asked me why it had been so long since we'd been in touch. I didn't have an answer. Sometimes life just happens.
Funny enough, when we saw each other after the passing of so many years there was no awkwardness; no excuses; no guilt. Just big smiles and hugs and instant joy and happiness at seeing one another again. I have S to thank for this little reunion. As we bade our farewells, we promised not to let another decade pass before meeting again. But even if it does, there is comfort in knowing that there is a special relationship - a special someone who owns a piece of my past.
It occurs to me that I have a wonderful life ... and some pretty special people in it. And for that I am truly grateful.
Thanks S.
This post reminde me of something I once wrote, that I'd like to share with you here:-
ReplyDeleteDistance cannot separate like minds, nor time break the link between members of one family. Established bonds of love will thus remain entwined with no lessening of mutual esteem, no matter what the gap of years until reunion.
I love friends like that - where you don't have to keep in touch to remain friends. And when you meet up, it's like you were never apart and you can pick up right where you left off. What a great experience.
ReplyDeleteJinksy: I think I remember that from your blog and thinking then how true that is!
ReplyDeleteKattrina: It really is ... and aren't we lucky to have such friendships in our lives.
Lovely post! I, too, have a couple of good old friends just like that! We are separated geographically, and all have such busy lives. It's always just the same when reconnecting though...
ReplyDeleteI've been playing catchup here - love your earlier posts, Happy daughter's birthday and start to the festive season! Oh, and how exciting to hear that your Africa plans are coming together, of course :)