The Power of Friendship

From First Playmates to Final Goodbyes

Friday, one of my best friends celebrated her birthday. We met when we were eight years old, and this year marks 60 years of friendship. In third grade, when I transferred to a new school, the teacher chose Robin to be my 'buddy' for the day and show me around. We've been friends ever since. Although, Robin isn’t my longest friendship.

We were bridging from Brownies to Junior Girl Scouts! My friend, Robin who already was a Junior Girl Scout standing right behind me. In the local newspaper!

I met Elizabeth before starting school. Her grandfather lived across the street from my great-grandmother. It was the first time I was allowed to walk to someone’s house by myself. Granny would stand on the sidewalk while I ran with abandon toward Elizabeth and her grandfather waiting on the sidewalk down the street. I had a feeling freedom with thick braids bouncing against my head while running down 8th Avenue and crossing the street to play with my friend.

Elizabeth, Mom & Me in 2017 at Pam’s 60th birthday party! We met Pam at King Junior High School (now Rosa L Parks Middle School.)

Family has its place. Friends play an important role in our lives too. After our school years end, some friendships fall away. As we move from our childhood homes, more friendships wither. During our working years, there are colleagues. Some colleagues evolve into friends surviving career changes, relocations while others become LinkedIn “connections” or dissolve. I think of the “mom friends” from my son’s school years—PTA meetings, carpools, school events. When our children graduated, and we didn’t have shared experiences and interests, many of those friendships ended too.

Stock Photo by Evangeline Shaw on Unsplash Parents Meeting

I love connecting with friends face-to-face whenever possible. Two weeks ago, one of my favorite sales managers sent a message via LinkedIn. She was coming to Indianapolis on business. We had a brief but wonderful meeting. I reminded her what a great impact she had on my career, we caught up on all of our family changes, we talked, laughed, and took a selfie. The next few days were lighter and brighter after making that reconnection. For me, there’s nothing quite like seeing friends in person!

I witnessed the power of friendship. In February 2010, my grandfather passed away at the age of 95. He had been a busy widower for twelve years and, in the end, was only ill for a short time—maybe six weeks. He spent several hours a week working at his church, preparing the building for various events. Every day, several times a day, he would chat on the phone with his friend, Deacon Brooks. The deacon was also a widower. Their families had known each other for years through church. The two men would often drive to meet at Home Depot to pick up supplies for minor repairs, which they would help each other complete at their homes.

In June 2010, I wasn’t surprised when Mom called to share the sad news that Deacon Brooks had passed away. She would occasionally call him to check in, knowing how much he missed his friend. The deacon had a loving family, but the bond of friendship between him and my grandfather had sustained them both through their final years.

“Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, the other is gold.” A poem written by Joseph Parry in the 1890s. The Girl Scout song from the poem was in the 1925 Girl Scout Song Book.