You’ve Got A Friend. Right?

We all experience grief and, as we age, loneliness, so we need each other. Occasionally I will call old friends, and we’ll have an exchange characterized by warmth and laughter. I hope these old friendships, which go back to college, high school, and even earlier, will never end. 

I am a seeker and an explorer.

Some people dear to me were skeptical of my discoveries. I don’t think less of those friends. Sometimes I do wonder what it would be like to hang out with them, even virtually, if the distance is great. I don’t see these relationships as expendable.

I invite folks over sometimes for a beer, but beer is not mandatory, so it does not preclude enjoying people who will not imbibe for faith reasons. I am confident of this because alcoholics and others in recovery are among my closest company.

Language is another small example of the drivers contributing to our relational drift. I concede that some folks’ use of such language might be extravagant. My scruples now have more to do with love and respect for all peoples, no matter their religion or lack thereof, their sexual orientation or gender identity, or anything that separates humans unnecessarily. While I don’t feel, at this point in my life, like actively promoting the virtues of the religious, I do appreciate the good work that even fundamentalist people can do.

I’m not proud of how I communicate now, nor am I ashamed. I developed a discomfort, even an aversion, to the language models of my religious enculturation and less discomfort with what was called “profanity.” I do recognize a need to be patient with those who don’t have an alternative vocabulary. Age has, in my view, robbed them of the liberty to accept as legitimate terminology that seems flagrant. I know how to self-regulate, though.

In summary, may we all keep our arms open for possible reunions.

 

 

 

 

 

we love you.

we love you.