Thursday, March 4, 2010

Friends, Like Flowers, Need Water

LET'S DO LUNCH!

Today I will be having lunch with these women, the caring and competent people I worked with for seven years. When I retired from this exceptional law firm about a year before I launched Sue's News, Views 'n Muse, I was treated to a special farewell luncheon, where the photograph you see above (framed in black and including the "Let's Do Lunch" message) was one of their parting gifts to me. I'm ashamed to say that I've only managed to "do lunch" with them a handful of times since. They were and are great friends, women I genuinely value, but somehow I've allowed everyday pursuits and pastimes to get in the way of our spending time together.

How did I let this happen? My intent was to stay in touch on a regular basis, visiting the offices once a month or so to catch up on all their news and enjoy the warmth and support their company has always offered me. But I just haven't made it a priority, even though I'm the one who would benefit most.

My question today is this: Why is it so easy to let schemes and schedules get in the way of people who matter? I worked (sometimes played!) side-by-side with these women every day, and we shared everything from Christmas service projects to crazy clients, from high hopes to devastating disappointments. We even took a trip to Hawaii together, husbands and all! To say nothing of the office birthday parties and cookfests. It saddens me to think that I could have let any part of the friendships we formed take a back seat to things that weren't nearly as important.

Because, after all, what's more important than friends?

(nothing)

=)

PS. Looking forward to our lunch, ladies!

11 comments:

jen said...

I think this is an ongoing problem for many women, especially those at home all day. Our days get filled with busyness instead of relationships and proactive things. I'm with you. I do this too.
Now--how to fix it?
Less busy? Less to do? How about just a plan? That's what I need.

Grandma Honey said...

I can so relate to this post. So many other things grabbing our time. Plus when I think of doing something fun, I then think, oh but no, I need to do this, this and this instead. I guess it's all in planning ahead and making time. Please let us know how the lunch goes today. Wondering what the topics of conversation will be...Wondering if it's the same stuff I talk about with my friends...

karen said...

You r lunch sounds like so much fun! I don't know why we let friendships starve like that. After many years I managed to track down some of my old college roommates. It was great to get back in touch, but after letting so many years lapse, it's even harder to keep things going. Friends are so important to us - such a great support. We need to make time! Have fun at your lunch!

Unknown said...

I am such a loner and every once in awhile I get the pang of sadness over relationships that I haven't maintained. It isn't that I don't think of them often or that I don't enjoy being around them. I just like being along and stay pretty busy being alone.
I think your blog is an excellent way of watering your friends. You shower us all with news and light all the time!

Caroline said...

I can really relate to this. I just reconnected with a dear friend of mine who I have not talked to in probably almost 10 years. She moved to New York to become a make-up artist (she's now a talent scout for a modeling agency) and I got married and had a bunch of babies. The other night, she flew into Baltimore for a one-night work-related visit. Even though I live here, I was unable to meet her, but we did talk on the phone for over an hour. It was one of the best conversations I have had in along time, and it was as if no time had passed at all.
I hope you have a great time at lunch with your friends!

Darlene said...

Gosh. I think everyone can relate to this. I certainly can. The accounting guy that I used to work for and his wife, who worked there too in Van Nuys, actually bought a condo here in Palm Desert as a second home. I was so excited when they did that and immediately invited them to dinner. We had a great evening and promised we would get together often. That was the last I ever saw of them.

Then, I had Dick find an old friend of mine on the internet that I went to school with and she had somehow wound up in Portland Oregon. We talked for about an hour and got caught up. Imagine how surprised I was to learn that she had just finished a second term as Mayor of Portland! We also promised to keep in touch. This post has reminded me that I must call her. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I just went to lunch with a friend today. And I wondered why I don't do it more often.

Fiauna said...

It's too true. I've let some many friendships slip away. Shame on me.

Heather Anderson said...

I HEART my girlfriends and girls night out!!! I am usually the first to admit to being overshceduled but when it comes to my girls I will drop everything to hang out. (which is funny cuz when I was younger I was such a tom boy abd I hated hanging out with girls). Just today, I caught lunch/playdate with a girlfriend, as a last minute thing, and loved every min. of it. I know sometimes people think that girls night takes away form family but I think it makes me a better Mom and wife when I fill my cup with and allow myself to be inspired by other women.

Katie said...

I know, doesn't life just get away from us sometimes? How nice to have SO MANY nice women you can call friends :) I hope you had a great lunch! I have roommates from college I still keep in contact with and it's always a great time when I get to see one of them!

Karen Sue said...

Scrap & Sew weekend march 26th..girls weekend to craft, visit, eat, wear flannel and slippers. Mostly I visit..twice a year.