The Kindness of Making the Effort to See Friends

"I have learned that to be with those I like is enough."
~ Walt Whitman

It's not easy when you travel to a city where you know many people to see everyone.  In fact, most of us have been guilty of being in a city and not calling a friend because we knew we would not be able to fit in a visit.

On a recent evening, pretty close to my bedtime, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from a very dear friend who moved to another country seven years ago.  I knew that she was coming to town, but I had not heard from her.  She told me that she was walking along my street.  Even though I was tired, I went out to see her and we spent the next couple of hours talking, reminiscing and laughing -- the way we used to.  I always think of her as my first mom friend -- she was the first mother I became friendly with when my children began school -- and we spent most of our children's preschool years together.  When my friend is in town, I know that she has family to see, but I am delighted that she makes the effort to see me.