Love & Friendship

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”

Anonymous

 

I’ve just returned from the airport after dropping off a friend for her flight back to LA. Sadly, my friend’s visit to the UK on this occasion was to say goodbye to her mother, who recently passed away.

My friend and I have known each other for nearly forty years and we have shared some amazing experiences along the way.

Having met up two or three times a year for many years; saying our goodbyes this time around was a very bittersweet experience as we have no idea when we will meet again.

Living in LA for the past 20 years, my friend has spent every vacation returning to the UK to visit her aging parents. Now they are gone, this is her time to go travelling and to have the adventures she has always wanted.

Whilst driving home I got to thinking about the value of friendship and the precious time I’d just spent with people I love. The weekend had been a very special time spent with my LA friend, my daughter and another close friend whom I’ve also known for many years.

It was the first time my two friends had met and it was great fun exchanging our stories. Sharing our experiences brought back many lovely memories…the kind you only build with those who have been part of your life for a long time. My daughter enjoyed hearing all these anecdotes of her mother’s miss-spent youth; particularly as the tales were being told by others’ who know me well…too well perhaps!

Knowing that it could be a long time until I meet with my friend again made me value every minute we spent together over the past couple of days.

 

Sitting here now and reflecting on a very special weekend shared with some of the most treasured people in my life, I realise how important it is to value time spent with our loved ones and to make every minute count.

I said ‘au revior’ to my other friend last night and waved my daughter off on the train to London this morning with the normal expectation of seeing them both of them again very soon.

However, we never really know what life has in store for us and every parting could be for the last time. Whether they are boarding a plane to LA, driving home to their partner, or heading off to their place of work…I want them to leave knowing how special they are and how much I love and care for them.

Sometimes we only get to spend a limited amount of time with those we care deeply about and it is so important to really value this time together. I believe that the greatest gift we can give our loved ones is to be really present with them in the given moment and to focus on enjoying every precious second we have together.

Day 24 – 365 Days of Celebration

Today I celebrate the priceless gift of love and friendship.