I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends
This was listed as the 4th most common regret in a study of elderly folk facing death. If you know what you could regret at the end of your life, then you could do something about it now, couldn’t you?
We don’t need masses of friends. But we do all need a handful of good friends who we can mutually depend on, love and support. It really is difficult to have a meaningful relationship with huge numbers of people. We are not meant to live as isolated beings but maintaining relationships also needs work. It requires time and effort from both sides.
About 25 years ago a very dear friend and I drifted apart. We went our different ways and gradually we stopped putting in the necessary relationship maintenance! Imagine my delight when I received a message from her through Facebook all these years later. The relationship has been restored. I’m sure many of you have also had similar experiences, and the ‘catching up’ can be such fun!
The elderly people in this study expressed many regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. They faced death missing their long lost friends.
Stay connected to friends! Think of a friend you’ve neglected and make a plan to rectify this during the coming week. It’s wonderful to journey your life with old friends with whom you have a shared history. Your friends need your friendship just as much as you need theirs!
june says
great work karin…so glad you my friend…lol
Wesley says
Thanks for this valuable post. Friendships made early in life are often very meaningful, and environmental factors like geographical distance, or bringing up a family can disrupt these relationships. It’s great if you can spark the friendship again later in life.