Friendships

I have made my way back to Washington D.C. to partake in one of my best friends weddings. I met the bride, Alta, when I was in 8th grade. She was one of my first true friends that I've made in my lifetime. Alta and I were in a way inseparable at times and I missed our friendship dearly when my father moved us back to Florida in 10th grade. But Alta and I remained friends, although we did not communicate the same way we do now, with cell phones and email and facebook. No we did it the old fashioned way, calling each other long distance on special holidays. Honestly if it hadn't been for her effort to call my parents every Christmas, we probably would have lost touch. I was used to making friends and losing friends. It is the life of a military brat! You get used to being independent and not relying on other people to keep you socially attuned.

Now, I realize, from the past, all the traveling, gaining and losing friends, it has made it currently difficult to have and keep friendships. With the exception of facebook friends, I am truly friendless in the real world. I blame it on my inability to relate to other people. There were 2 friends I made while living in Tulsa and I miss them terribly. The friends I have made in Albuquerque belong to my son's Cub Scout troop and they are wondeful people, however, since we live in a different part of town, outside Cub Scouts, our relative interests are at a stand still.

Coming to D.C. this week alone has really opened up my eyes to the fact that I am missing close friends more than ever. Typically, I don't mind being alone, because I can do the things I want to without having to consult with anyone. If I take a wrong turn and have to walk an extra mile to my destination, then I'm fine. What I cannot stand is listening to someone chastise me the whole way about taking that wrong turn. Not that friends typically do this, but I've seen it done.

More to come...