Staying Connected

How often do we part from friends with the phrase, “Let’s keep in touch,” only to realize weeks, months, even years later that it didn’t happen? Staying connected takes effort. It’s not that we don’t have ways to connect - we almost have too many. Part of the challenge can be figuring out which platform to use for which friend. The other part is taking the time and finding a time and date that works for all involved.

This past weekend my husband and I got together with a former colleague of mine, along with her family. It took some creative planning. We could have just had them over to our house, but there was an event near her neighborhood that offered something for everyone, as she and her husband have young children and her parents were in from out of town.

The event, hosted by a local bicycling group, arranges for certain streets to be closed in the city on a weekend so that the public can “explore spaces that would otherwise be used by motor vehicles.” So it could be described as a large street fair with a bike course through it, or a short bike course with a street fair surrounding it. There were walkers, runners, bicycles, unicycles, scooters, strollers, and many other wheeled modes of transport. There were street musicians, organizations with activity booths, local merchants and eateries with special deals. It’s a great time.

We arranged to each start the course on our own, and meet up for lunch in the midst of it. It was a nice break in the middle of the event, and it was great to spend time with someone who I used to see every day at the office. Although the event itself was fun, I will remember this day because of time spent with friends.

Take the time. Set up that coffee date, that walk at lunch time, that dinner meeting. You’ll be glad you did!

Why Keep Writing?

Father’s Day