I’ve been having lunch with my friends Mandy and Athena every week for over five years. Two weeks ago when they wanted to talk on the phone instead of getting together, I was annoyed that they didn’t want to figure out a way to get together face to face.
But two weeks seems like a long time ago, and so much has changed. Now I’m just glad to talk to any of my friends on the phone.
For the past two Fridays Mandy and I have kept that lunch date. I’m in my studio and she’s in her house.
Mandy closed her Massage Therapy Studio at least three weeks ago. She built her business up over the past 20 years. And now, like many people, she can’t work, (which is bad enough) and she’s worried about what her business will be like when she can get back to it.
It made me once again grateful that I can continue doing my work.
We talked for over an hour, and a while after we got off the phone Mandy texted me and thanked me for our conversation.
I’ve never had an easy time making friends. But I found it especially hard as an adult who works at home alone. I’ve really had to make an effort to reach out to people and keep friendships going.
But I find that during this time, I’m reaching out to my friends so much that Jon has noticed it and mentioned it to me. I do feel that we find out who we really are and what is important t us when there is a crisis such as we’re all in now.
My friends and my community feel essential to me now. I need them as much as I want to be there for them.
I texted Mandy back, There’s something nice about needing each other”.
She wrote back that she had been thinking the same thing.
