Anchored Magazine, a publication produced by the Southern Christian Writers Conference, had a callout for stories about sweet friendship. I wrote about how Pam and I became friends, leading to a partnership in the Kidz 4 Christ Puppet Ministry. Writing the article made me think more deeply about friendship.
Friendship
There is no age limit to finding and valuing the best of friends. As the years pass, people ebb and flow through your life. This happens when you move, change interests, and, well, just life. Sometimes, there is a perfect time to meet a new friend.
My friendship story is about my fears of approaching a new person. Although we attended the same church, our paths had not crossed. I was an aspiring writer and wanted to meet other authors and learn about their journeys. A mutual friend at church suggested that I reach out to Pam, since she had published two children’s books.
One tip from my writing classes was to invite an author to lunch and get to know them. I was excited to do this, but shy about making this happen. The story tells about how I stepped out in faith, approached Pam, and our friendship grew. Pam and I still giggle about this hesitancy because now we are the best of friends and clicked immediately at that first lunch.
While writing this story for the magazine, I thought a lot about friendship and how things have changed over the years.
Loneliness
We have a loneliness epidemic in our country. I wish making friends were easier as you get older, but it can be more challenging. In school, you are around people your own age and, although kids can be rough on each other, you at least have people to choose from and might make good friends. This holds fairly true in college, as well.
Once you are out of school, paths can greatly diverge. If you are married, you are more likely to befriend other couples; if you have children, you might gravitate toward couples with children because they are going through similar life phases. Your job might dictate who you meet, or you might work remotely and meet online.
I grew up way before cell phones, and we would knock on doors to introduce ourselves to other kids in the neighborhood and make friends. Our mothers often helped with the introductions. We didn’t have gaming systems, computers, or cell phones to keep us occupied. Summers could get long if you didn’t have anything to do! Parents were incentivized to keep us busy, too!
Devices
Today, it seems that people have “friends” on social media. These types of friends are not going to hold you when you cry, pick you up when your car breaks down, or mentor you through a problem. Those relationships require time and willingness to get to know the other person.
I am saddened that children (and adults) are constantly recorded and watched. As I was growing up, all the awkward moments, especially of the teenage years, were mostly forgotten as the next big thing happened. Now, they might be recorded and potentially never forgotten.
Who would want to ask someone to dance, go out on a first date, or strike up a conversation if you thought it would all be put on social media if you embarrassed yourself?
Research suggests people are becoming more willing to set down their devices and want a more human touch in their interactions. I pray that this is true and that society encourages this change.
Be Brave
One of life’s greatest joys is your relationship with family and friends. People don’t rest on their deathbeds wishing they had worked harder, made more money, or had all their possessions around them. They want to be surrounded by the people they love.
Meet a variety of people, talk and listen to them. You will learn more from interesting people than the internet can teach you. Interact with people of different ages, from the youngest to the oldest. Older folks lived through history, and it can be much more fun to learn about events from someone who lived them.
Depending on their generation, you might ask where they were when Pearl Harbor was attacked, we walked on the moon, the Berlin Wall came down, Challenger exploded, the Twin Towers fell, or any other big news event. Ask about the civil rights movement, women getting credit cards in their own name, or any other topic that interests you.
You are likely to be surprised by what you learn!
My Sweet Friendship Story
My friendship story is in Anchored Magazine. I hope that you enjoy the story!
