Old Friends, New Friends, Changes of Hearts

Friendship
And a youth said, "Speak to us of Friendship."
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
- Khalil Gibran

On this past Saturday night there was a reunion of people from college. Some of us lived in the dorm together, some connected through the Leaning House, and others had just connected through mutual friends. I had no intention of going.

I don't know if I'm becoming stranger with age or just wisening up enough to see more of me as the years go by but even a simple party with those I knew became a learning experience. My initial thoughts were that I already talk to or seek out those who I feel the need to interact with so who cares about the rest. As the requests came from more & more people that I attend, instead of complimentary, it just made me feel weird. I couldn't figure out why all of these people I never make an attempt to talk with were wanting my company.

Why was it so important I be there?

Earlier on Saturday, I painted my toenails, showered and washed my hair so that I would be prepared to make an appearance. I had decided to go for an hour or so and then slip out. Around 5 or so, the thunder began and ooooooooooh I had an excuse to stay in. I just knew it would begin pouring down rain at any minute and who would fault me for not wanting to drive. I drove to get dinner and afterwards began cleaning.

At almost 9pm I got a call from a friend saying that I had to come and he'd been waiting for me. He was leaving to return to LA Sunday and just had to see me. This got me dressed and out of the house.

You know what? I had fun. It was actually really nice to talk to those of like minds. The connection was there and even though it had been years since I'd seen some, the interaction was just as easy as 20 yrs ago. It was also amazing to see how much of the same mischief and childlike qualities most of us still possessed.

Many seem to make me appear larger than life and I heard a few exaggerations about my past, but even that gives a feeling of love. I heard a few accounts of past events that I wasn't sure whether or not I really participated in, but then again, I wasn't 100% sure and they could have been true. There were memories brought back of times I'd forgotten and I got to remind some others of their forgotten pasts as well. I also got to clear up one story over 10 yrs old.

I so enjoyed myself at the party I had not planned on attending and I'm glad that call came through to make me get off my azz. It appears that sometimes I can forget how much I appreciate some of my old friends. There were also a few conversations with those I didn't know that were refreshing.

Old friends, new friends, and I'm thankful for a change of heart.