where I think about friendship

I had an email from an old friend a few weeks ago. I'd actually forgotten we had exchanged email addresses, otherwise I would have fired off a "hello, how are you" letter long ago. Whenever I thought about phoning, the time difference seemed to get in the way. I am so bad at keeping in touch. It's sad, really.

Then on Sunday, I was at a reunion, of sorts. For the past couple of days, I've had little sleep as my mind whirls around old memories, old feelings ... seeing older faces ... remembering. Normally, a reunion would fill me with dread - a forced interest in people from the past and the inevitable comparisons. This was different.

The church I used to attend for much of my 20s and 30s has decided to disband, which is sad, but inevitable. So many people have moved away, myself included. An afternoon of celebration, and a final goodbye was planned. People came by from hours away. Broad smiles, wide eyes at recognition, warm hugs. Some people, it was enough just to see them again one more time. With others, phone numbers and email addresses were exchanged. No real reason for losing touch over the years. We all moved on; eventually, you start thinking too much time has passed. But on Sunday, for at least three old friends, it was as if the last years were just a blip. Plans have been made to get together. One friend who moved to a farm, and I haven't seen for 25 years, delivers meat to a restaurant just blocks from my place. I've invited her to rest up at my place before her long drive back home, and she's invited me to the farm to visit and see the lambs and chickens.

And if you thought that is all, you'd be wrong. Last week, I ran into an old high school friend. She recognized me in a restaurant and came over... both of us living in a different city from where we went to school, and 30 years older. She plans to have a bbq sometime this summer with other friends she keeps in touch with. So in July, another sleepless weekend while my mind whirls with a different set of old memories, old feelings.

All of them good. In a time warp sortof way.