Categories
myThoughts

Building new friendships, reaching for old ones

I’ve been too busy lately and this morning is no exception, but I didn’t want to lose this train of thought.  Last night I went to a movie with a friend and I realized building friendships doesn’t just happen.  It takes work; it takes time; it takes effort; it takes desire – on both sides.  Its rare to find someone willing to put forth their life in the way needed to forge a true friendship.

My wife and I were talking last night and I said I wanted my son to have life long friends that are true and not just friendly acquaintances.  She replied simply “that doesn’t happen anymore”.  I know she was just lamenting how rare it is to find such a friend.  I share her concern.

This isn’t new information; I’ve known how hard it is to build deep relationships, but last night I realized how hard it is to keep old ones.  I miss a dear friend of mine from Ohio.  We talk on the phone sometimes – we even interact with each others blogs on occasion.  But the time we spend in hours of debate over coffee and cigars, the hours of car pool time, the back yard barbeque’s, the work hours meeting deadlines and creating solutions – are memories.

Great memories… but as I build this new friendship, I realize my old friend and I are no longer able to build these daily experiences together.  We will still talk, still debate over the phone on occasion – maybe even spend some time in person every other year or so… but the daily interactions will have to wait until we meet in the next life.

Jason – when you read this, know I miss you and I’m secure enough in my manhood to say it!