Have you read Kate Bear’s latest poem? bridesmaid speech?It’s a beautiful ode to friendship.? Is there anything more powerful than friends turned brothers? Dear reader, I don’t think so. Here are 10 comments from readers on this topic.
For quirky hangs:
“I went to a PowerPoint party and it was so much fun. People talked about everything from bad 80s movies to Phil Collen’s obsession with the Alamo (it’s real! He wrote the book!) We laughed and learned a lot. It was a great way to spend a winter weekend in the Midwest.”
“Six of my closest friends and I, all dressed and coordinated, had our formal studio portraits taken. The (very patient) photographers were happy to show us their quirky selves and let us participate. He even gave me a printout of a photo of the friend I didn’t have. I highly recommend taking images that represent your deep friendships and displaying them proudly.” — MRM
“During the quarantine period, the four of us (living in Salt Lake, Zurich, and London) Marco Polo We chatted in random locations around the house, including the bathroom cabinet, refrigerator, and bedside table. I really enjoyed seeing this part of my friends’ lives. The details that are important to them are important to me. ” — Tanner
About an unexpected friendship:
“When my sister and I were young, all the kids in the neighborhood were scared of the elderly couple across the street, because Roland seemed grumpy and Nancy had health problems. I don’t remember how that happened, but my sister and I got along well with them, and we went out several times a week. Roland was very kind, and Nancy seemed like she would be a great mother. They gave us Dum Dum, let us play in the backyard, and gave us $5 each for Christmas. They’re gone now. I’ll never see or remember Dum Dum. I want to be the cool old guy to the young people in my neighborhood someday.” — Margie.
“My adult son, Wallace, is no stranger to everyone in our medium-sized city. He has a developmental disability, but is the funniest, friendliest 12-year-old in a 25-year-old’s body. . We might be at the mall, hardware store, or another location on the other side of town, and out of nowhere someone might wave at him, yell at him, or smile at him. Wallace is all smiles and excitedly replies, “Hi!” When I ask him who it was, he always gives the same answer, “My friend.” I know he doesn’t know their names, but I’ve come to the conclusion that he’s the kind of not-so-stranger who brightens everyone’s day. ” — Joe
About family ties:
“My best friend had a baby, and I happily took on the role of fun aunt. This summer, that meant attending sports games where my friend’s kids played. For six weeks. It was fun to have stand-up dates once a week over the years, and we got to hang out together as adults when the kids were on the field. And the 6-year-old was playing T-ball, right? Adorable.” — Amy
About looking out for each other:
“I’m an incredibly difficult person (I’m nervous and my executive function difficulties are real), but I’m also an extrovert and a stay-at-home parent, so I find myself starving for adult interaction. I’m often embarrassed by the condition of my house.Recently, I responded to a message from a neighbor saying, “Yes, I haven’t done it yet.” [thing we were discussing] Because I’m in a pit of depression. Hey guys, my hair is super dirty and probably flammable, I was wearing no bra and a big old t-shirt, and my partner was on a business trip, so I was on my own dealing with parenting and relationships. I was doing We were basically wild. Twenty minutes after I sent that text, my neighbor showed up with cupcakes. In the past, I wasn’t in a situation where I would open the door. But once I took a breather, this new friend hugged me, told me he was there, and asked permission to clean the kitchen while I took a shower. I cried in that shower with gratitude. And when I went outside, the kitchen was clean and the kids were eating snacks. If you’re afraid of others seeing your sophisticated self, why not challenge that fear a little? There’s something really wonderful out there. ” — Kara
Regarding the words “I love you”:
“Once I went out with a new friend and had the best time. I had the urge to say, ‘I love you!’ When we broke up, though, I didn’t know if it would surprise her or not. Then she said to me: “I love you, see you soon!” I had the biggest smile on my face for the rest of the day. So, lesson learned: There’s a lot of unkindness and instability in the world, and if a simple “I love you” from a new friend improved my day that much, we all deserve more of it. I can only imagine how much more comfortable things would be if I said that. ” — Claire
About people who turned from friendship to soulmates:
“My best friend and I have been friends since we shared a dorm room 15 years ago. We now live in different states. I wish we could watch Disney Channel movies, but when we chat on the phone or get together, she picks up where I left off, more than my husband or mother ever could. We joke that we’re each other’s soulmates, and we really are.” — Rebekah
“She was 9 years old and I was 9 and a half. My family had just moved to the neighborhood and I was missing old friends, so my mom took me to the fields to fly kites. Soon another mother and daughter came and before long the girl and I ran off and the mother was left with the kite. I am now 80 years old and she is 79 and a half. We have had ups and downs. I don’t know where I would be or who I would be without her. She’s just amazing.”
What friendship stories would you like to add? We’d love to hear from you.
PS How to navigate friendships with people with disabilities, and simple dinners to make when friends come over.
(Photo from someone somewhere.)
Source: Cup of Jo – cupofjo.com
