Ruth's Ramblings

Friendships

This past week (and weekend) got me thinking about friendships. How much I appreciate them, how much I try to maintain them, the ones that I choose to invest in, and all that stuff. Last week an old college friend came by to stay for a couple days. I also spent some quality time with other girlfriends; newer friendships in the area, older ones from the past, and some in between.

I was reminded of the fact that friendships are fluid - they are never static, never at a standstill (this probably applies to other relationships too). Some take more effort, some are a bit lower maintanence. Nevertheless, they all take some investment on some part for both parties.

I was also reminded that some friendships fade. Whether it be time, circumstances, or a deliberate decision, a friendship loss isn't all that uncommon. In college, my girlfriends and I talked about how we would be each other's bridesmaids for each of our weddings. Now that time has past, things have changed a bit, and those wedding promises may not work out. Which is okay, but it's a sign that sometimes things change and move on. C'est la vie, as they say.

As of late, I've been thinking about learning how to let go of some friendships. Some because I've noticed a bit of letting go on their end; others because they may be too hurtful for me to maintain. This type of change is a sad thing; but I have to keep reminding myself that it's ok, and it's life. This has no reflection as to who I am, nor my worth. I am not a bad person, and I will not feel guilty. I will do my best to respect myself and others, while keeping my integrity.

Posted by Ruth at 12/06/2004