By Kathy Oswalt-Forsythe
Like most people, I value my friends, and these relationships have become more and more important to my happiness as I travel this life journey. All the research I have read regarding longevity indicates that, in addition to our lifestyle choices, close relationships and friendships are vital to our overall health and sense of well-being.
When we were children, our friendships depended on proximity. We learned to play. Share. Work it out. As we got older, our circle broadened. We attended school and started making friends who might share interests: reading, sports, crafts, hobbies, and activities.
As adults, we often develop relationships at work. If we are lucky, we create friendships with neighbors and share life together.
Some friends are like family to me. Nancy is one of these. I have known her my whole life. I think of her as a special auntie. We share many interests, and every couple months or so we spend a few hours together over a cup of coffee. We have offered each other advice, shared food, laughter and tears.
She exemplifies the importance of nurturing relationships and caring for her friends. She is part of a group of women who meet once a month for lunch. I have heard them referred to “My Thursday Girls,” or “The Thursday Group,” and my mother, who meets with them when she is able, calls them “The Thursday Chicks.” Some of these women have known each other for over sixty years, some are more recent acquaintances, but no matter the history, they enjoy one another’s company. They spend several hours around a table, listen to current joys and sorrows, and talk and talk and talk.
Nancy loves to entertain, and last summer she hosted the Thursday group for lunch at her home. I attended to help her serve and to enjoy the fellowship of these amazing “chicks.” It was a wonderful luncheon and afternoon, and Nancy was clearly so full of joy then and even now when she talked about it.
“I was so happy. You know why? Because so many of the people I love were there. My friends are like ribbons. They wrap around me and add beauty and richness to my life.”
Ribbons. What a beautiful metaphor! Yes, ribbons are special. Ribbons decorate packages, they add elegance and beauty. Some of us even save them.
Friends, like ribbons, are to be cherished and cared for. Remember that saying, “To have a friend, you need to be a friend”? I think that’s the “secret sauce.”
We need to select friends carefully. We need to pay attention. We need to make commitments and spend time together. I know we can get busy, but even just a phone call or spending an hour together every few months is important to maintain continuity. To tie the ribbons.
I agree with Nancy. Friends are worth the care and effort. Like ribbons, we can collect them our whole life. Even in our senior years, we should reach out to others. We can and, for our health, must continue to forge new meaningful relationships.
Friends can help us celebrate our highs, and they can walk beside us in our lows.
And, like ribbons, they are meant to be treasured.
It’s a Fine Life.
