The Importance of Friendship as We Get Older.

Friendships play a very important role in our lives. We all remember our very first friend. (Mine was one of our neighbors. ) As we grow up, there are high school and college friends. During that time, we think nothing will tear us apart. Then we grow up, perhaps grow apart, have a falling out or take different paths in life. Make no mistake about it, when we go off into the world, whether it be to embark on a career, get married, have kids or simply travel the world, friendships change. In the case of having children, unless our friends have kids at the same time, we may see less and less of them. We get busy with our lives. We have other priorities and as much as we may want to keep these friendships alive, life happens and we drift apart. However, as my kids grow up and have their own interest and lives, I have come to realize how important it is for me to rekindle these friendships, not be afraid to make new ones or to let ones go that are no longer serving me.

Growing older, surviving the teen years, kids going off to college, menopause, career changes, aging parents, end of a marriage, whether by divorce or death, etc. can be down right scary. To have a tribe of women that I can turn to, talk to and blow off steam with is essential! Never mind girl’s night out, girl’s weekends have become non negotiable in my life! These are the women I can talk and share my dreams and fears. These are the women I can turn turn to when I have doubts about a parenting decision or upset about something my spouse did. There is no judgment, but there is no coddling either. Any one of these women could call me out and I would respect their opinion. These women get me and I get them. In terms of friendships, 2018 has been a great year for me. New friends were made during my epic marathon weekend. Old and new friends came together as we celebrated the 50th birthday of another fabulous woman. The annual girl’s weekend to run the Wine and Dine races in Disney, brings together high school friends. Finally, a quiet weekend along the beaches of Cape Cod to scrapbook the days away. Each experience filled my cup, in one way or another. I am grateful for these women and our time together.