Coffee with Candy

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!!

I read a very interesting article yesterday about aging and friendship. I don't remember who wrote it or what site I saw it on, but it was a good read. The gist was as we age, particularly after retirement, we have to be intentional about investing in friendship. We have to make time to keep up with face-to-face interactions. Often in our younger years our friendships revolve around the people we see at work, at school, or in our neighborhoods. Sometimes those friendships are not emotionally tied, but conveniently tied. Sometimes we may not have things in common with the people we see everyday, but the relationship is formed because we see them regularly, sometimes daily. That's why when we change jobs, move away, etc., those old friendships tend to wane away. The article went on to say that when people retire from jobs they had some 20 or more years working with the same company or group of people they have the hardest time. They miss the "structure" of friendship. In other words the "work tie" was the bond of the relationship. Now that they aren't at work they have all this time but now they feel left out, isolated, forgotten. Here's my 2 cents about it. I've always felt that friendships are important and to be cherished. I've always felt that friends are people who I invite into my personal space and vice versa. My home is an open door for friends. My table is always ready for coffee or tea. Heart-to-hearts are special to me. Talking on the phone and through social media is ok, but a face-to-face is the best way to relate and conversate. Yes I agree, we must be intentional about keeping our friends as we age. Take time to do some inventory. How often do you make time for friends who you genuinely like, who you have things and values in common with and not just because you're conveniently tied? Because truly there is a difference.