The most (some might say only) genuine gift we have to offer in life is
who we are to the people we touch.
It's shameful what it can take to make us understand the importance of our
friendships. I'm a good friend, but just like most of my friends, I have
too often fallen into the habit of placing low priority on making time to
spend with the people who are important to me. Sometimes I'm even
neglectful enough that I fail to consider the importance of specific
friendships and consequently never make the appropriate effort to turn them into what they should be -
special times of sharing and creating memories together.
I've often tossed about the 'we really need to get together' phrase with a
friend, which is a genuine sentiment, but with no intention of considering how or when.
There's always the feeling that something will show itself without
intervention...as though by chance, we will find an opportunity that works
equally well without intruding too deeply on other things we might be
doing.
Well, I can tell you, this is not the way life works. I'm sitting here as
I type looking at photos of a friend I'll never again be able to make time for -
at least not face to face. I attended a memorial service for one
of the most influential people in my life. I hadn't seen him for
many years, and often wondered what had become of him. I never made the
time to find out.
The things I gained from that relationship so long ago, affect
my life every single day. It's too late to tell him just how much the man
he was has meant to me. Perhaps more important, I'll never again have the opportunity to
support, love or encourage him.
Do not wait to make time with friends. There isn't always tomorrow. The
rest of my life or your life could be just today or just this hour...and
even if longer, the chance to spend more time may not show itself. I think
we all know that most of our opportunities in life are those we make for
ourselves. Don't underestimate the value of true friendship. Each one is
irreplaceable and absolutely worthy of the effort to make it grow.
Now you know who I am...tell me, who are you?
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