Many of you have probably heard this old Girl Guide Jingle before:
It's something I've been singing since I was a little girl, and I try to take those words to heart. I consider myself very lucky in that I have always made very good friends wherever I have lived. In each location I have always had at least one very good friend to hang out with and depend on.
Lately the bulk of my friend making has been online, through the wonderful world of scrapbooking. I'm blessed to have a close group of peeps who I'm in touch with every day, and without whom I just might lose my mind (you know who you are and I love you!)
But my old friends, ahhhhhhhh my old friends with whom I forged unbreakable links as a young adult. You know those friends? The ones that you may not hear from for years, but when you talk or meet up again it's like you were together yesterday? The friends that you know if you need them they will be there?
I think of this group as The Gang - I think it was my mum who first coined that phrase to refer to us. We're scattered all over the world now, and we're not in touch often, but our bonds are strong.
So when I heard the devastating news of the tremendous loss one of my old friends suffered this week, I knew I had to reach out to them. In a matter of hours, and through the wonders of the Internet we were back in contact, working out ways to support our friend in her time of need. Remember my mega post on why I use social media? I don't think it would have been possible for me to contact them as quickly as I did if it weren't for Facebook.
And just as expected they all immediately wanted to do something, to be there. The years melted away (and it's been a lot of years!) and I am comforted that the ones who are closer will be able to help in a way that I can't at this moment.
You know that old friend of yours? The one you've been thinking about, but keeping putting off contacting until tomorrow? And then tomorrow becomes next month, and before you know it two years have gone by? Don't be like me amd wait until you have to call in a time of need. Pick up the phone, send an e-mail, heck, write a letter! I promise you, she will be happy to hear from you. And the years will melt away.......
