What makes one human appealing as a friend? Are there certain characteristics and behaviors that attract others and draw them into a circle of friends?
Because my father was military we moved a lot when I was young. Consequently my friendships were very transient. I believe this made it difficult for me to form lasting friendships. My sisters and I are close, but they now have their own families to concern them. I had no real idea of what a lasting friendship looked like.
Until I met Kristen. For some reason she wanted to be my friend.
We met at work in 1985 and are still friends to this day, although she now lives in St. Louis. We connected immediately, even though she was ten years younger than I. She would call me and want to hang out, would invite me to join her for a weekend at Rocky Point, Mexico. She thought of me when she was going somewhere and would often get me a small gift. She would drop in with a rose bush or small tree for my yard. She spent weekends with Chuck and I and the kids, she liked being with us.
She taught me how to be a friend. When she married I actually was a bridesmaid, not the wedding singer I usually was (although I did sing a song too), which felt very special. We spent lots of years enjoying our families together.
Her move made me realize I didn’t have a network of friends.
The people I know don’t seek me out. I would love to have a couple of girlfriends to do things with yet, I hesitate. Maybe I’ve become the kind of human that others say “Hi” to but I offer nothing to motivate them to be buddies. Perhaps I need more self reflection to know what is about me that keeps acquaintances from getting closer. I see pics on social media of people getting together, making the effort to connect, enjoying human interaction, and it gives me pause.
I know writing and sewing are solitary activities, but I love talking and laughing at happy hour or at my house with the music playing and a bonfire fire going and sharing a bottle of wine with friends.
Is it me?
Cheers!
-N
I have found a dear friend within my workplace otherwise, I’m sure I would be the same. The flighty friendships of a military child can create this comfort in isolation, I believe that too. If I lived nearby, we would do girlfriend stuff. Love you, sis.
This really is the only reason I would perhaps go back to work outside of my home.
Thanks kiddo!