Make New Friends, but Keep the Old

Our world has expanded exponentially over the last few weeks with my oldest son in a large public school and the numerous opportunities to get involved and meet new people. How comforting and relaxing it was over the Labor Day weekend to have old friends come and visit for a few days. These dear friends hearken back to 1990 BC – before children, that is- when our schedules were more flexible and we had more energy. They moved away too many years ago, but come back regularly to visit, bringing with them the memories of days gone by. This time, they also brought newly digitized recordings of some “radio dramas” they had created in the Rocky and Bullwinkle style, recorded in our younger and crazier years. Our children found them to be a great delight, particularly since their dad was one of the characters, and we all had to chuckle as we went upstairs to bed and heard three CD players blaring various takes from the show affectionately known as ” Pajama Man.” There is something comforting in watching your children take a passionate interest in the things you have loved as well. It was also wonderful to see how these dramas created such a connecting point for my kids with these friends whom they only know through occasional visits. A ten hour trip is too long and a three day visit is too short, but some friendships are for a lifetime -and they are worth the effort.