Old Friends Keeps you Grounded
There is nothing like a good conversation with old friends to keep you grounded and humbled. And it is so good for the soul.
As we head into Thanksgiving weekend, it is time to reflect on the year and be grateful for our health, friends, and family. In the midst of parenting, managing work/life balance, and navigating office politics, it is important to take time to reconnect with old friends. A good conversation with an old friend nourishes the soul and keeps you grounded. For that we are extremely thankful.
From Colleagues to Good Friends
There are former colleagues who turn into good friends that you still keep in touch with. My former “work wife” and I still meet regularly for power lunches, weekend hikes, networking events, and social get-togethers for which I am very grateful for. I can always count on my former work wife for pragmatic career and life advice, and have a good laugh together.
Likewise, Kenz has regular catch-ups with former US colleagues who he now calls old friends. They climbed the corporate ladder together at their former place of employment. Every so often we think about moving back to the US. Would the quality of life be better in the U.S.? His Denver-based colleague and father of three gives his views and caution us to be sure we aren’t trading “problems for problems.” It is refreshing to hear their perspectives especially when we think: “grass is greener on the other side.”
High School and University Friends
There is nothing like childhood friends. My oldest family friend is like a sister to me. Likewise, Kenz grew up in a tight-knit group of eight high school friends whom he calls family. Through the decades, friends got married, became parents, lost a parent, bought a house, relocated, divorced, got sober, ran ultra marathons, and everything in between. We are incredibly grateful for their love, friendship, and support from California.
Then there are friends from our care-free university days. I have a very good friend from graduate school who I feel like I’ve known all my life. Both of us grew up in Sacramento and went to Berkeley for undergraduate. Little did we know, we were both at a mutual friend’s wedding where she was a bridesmaid. In fact, we were in the same photo from wedding pictures, but only to meet three years later. She is genuinely the most kind-hearted and generous friend – so incredibly blessed for our friendship through these decades as we navigate adult life.
Old Friends in London
It is always fun to see old friends in London. This year, we saw 4 or 5 friends from California come through London for work or pleasure. In fact, this week we met up with Kenz’ university friends from Davis. He and his wife were in town to attend a wedding in Devon. Kenz had not seen him since 2006 when a mutual friend organised an epic houseboat trip on Lake Shasta over Memorial Day weekend. It was impossible to squeeze in nearly 20 years of life into a four-hour dinner at Lolo’s in Bermondsey. But we are able to exchange stories about our children, whilst reminiscing on our youthful university days. We are grateful to reconnect with old friends for good laughs over a delicious meal.
As Salman Rushdie once said, “In the cookie of life, friends are the chocolate chips.” And we look forward to Thanksgiving next week as we reflect on what has been a difficult and sombre year personally.
