Now Is The Time to Make a Call - No Need to Wait!
Have you ever thought about what a friend from college or high school is doing now? Or you never knew what happened to someone you played sports with or was in your music lessons? Or a relative that you were very friendly with, shared the same interests and for some reason you stopped talking. Perhaps you grew apart and frankly you didn’t know why. I am sure you have said I should call Mike, Ted, Fred or Alice and see what is going on. But for some reason it is a fleeting moment in time and you go back to doing whatever you were doing and don’t pick up the phone.
This has happened to me. I know I am a “yes” to all of those questions. Probably all of us have people who touched our lives in some shape or form and have grown apart over the years. It was never premeditated but it just happened.
I try and keep in touch with a lot of people but often I think about what happened to someone I haven’t spoken to in awhile.
Recently I heard from the sister of a friend of mine. She unfortunately delivered some very bad news. My friend was in the hospital – actually in ICU and was very sick. They didn’t know what was wrong with her. They were doing a battery of tests and couldn’t figure it out. A day or two went by and thankfully she is doing much better. In fact I spoke to her a few times and I can’t even believe she was sick. She sounded great and very positive as she always is.
The reason I wanted to share this story is everyone has people that we don’t talk to as often as we would like. All of us are busy, but surely we can find some time to reach out to someone and see how they are doing. Spend a few minutes and make a call to one of them.
I know I will.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Merrill,
Have I told you lately that I love you?
xokath
March 30th, 2007 at 9:25 am
My college alma mater sent me a class directory last year. Because I travel so much I decided to see if any of my friends lived in any of the cities I was going to. I actually hooked up with an old roomate and someone I went to both HS and college with. I hadn’t seen either one in more years than I care to admit. Seeing them was a fantastic experience and I am determined to continue to try to reconnect with more of my old friends. I just have to figure out how to find some work in Paris!!
March 30th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Growing up, my father was part of a social group of boys in the neighborhood who used to get together after school to play sports and to do whatever kids did back then. He was best friends with his next door neighbor, Artie.
As the years went on, Artie and my father drifted apart and never kept up.
SIXTY FIVE years later they were reunited and it was as if they didn’t miss a beat. Here’s what happened:
My sister-in-law had grown tired of hearing about Artie and the Lancers (the name of their club). One night, returning from dinner with my parents, she had had a glass or two too much of wine and decided she was going to find this Artie guy. So, she started calling directory assistance! And strangely enough, SHE FOUND HIM!
She called the first Arthur who met the bill and asked if this was Arthur (last name). The man on the other end said yes. Do you know Bob Goldman? Yes, that’s Doodles! (that was his nickname, not sure why). With that, the two of them were reconnected and picked up their friendship from 65 years earlier. The wives really hit it off too and became very good friends.
I recently met Artie for the first time (sadly, as he eulogized my father) and I am truly glad that the two of them got to spend some time together again, recapturing their youth. I am sure that Artie and his lovely wife will remain friends of the family forever. We are not about to lose track of someone so special.
March 30th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Having attended three different high schools in four years in New Jersey, Illinois,and California the reverse was true for me. I met many many people, yet I was never able to establish long term friendships/acquaintances in those years. I can tell you names and birthdays all day long of all these high schools, but the lesson I learned from moving around so much is that if you have but a moment to make a connection, that is as good as a reunion. One thought from a loner…
Thanks Merrill!
Mr Will
May 15th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Merrill, I agree, keeping in touch with long time friends is a treasure. We send out about 200 Christmas Cards each year just to keep in touch with high school and college friends and others we have met over the years. I enjoy hearing from them, even if it is only one time a year. I also attempt to meet the friends when I travel. I have a huge family and so there is always someone to visit from Hawaii and Alaska to London, England! Thanks for the reminder to make an extra call this evening! Naomi