Sometimes people come into our and they just fit. Whether we’ve known them for decades or only briefly, certain individuals shape our experiences in profound ways. There are two main categories of such influential people: life partners (including romantic partners, children, siblings and pets) and friends.
Friends, unlike family members or even romantic partners, are individuals we choose to keep in our lives with no preconceived obligations. Nurturing and valuing these friendships are essential for our well-being. While forming and maintaining friendships can be challenging, they play a critical role in our survival and fulfillment.
The irony of life lies in the timing of our realizations. Often, we recognize the importance of a friendship only after life has shifted its course. Graduations, job changes, and relocations alter our circumstances, impacting the frequency of interactions with friends. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable for adults in their 30s to 50s, especially those navigating elder care, parenthood, devoted careers and/or committed partnerships. Regardless of one’s personal roles and dispositions, as adults, life’s demands often prioritize other aspects over friendships.
As we get older, the reality of life’s ultimate truth is ever more apparent each passing year, one day this will all be over and we won’t be here. In those precious moments when we engage with loved ones—whether for 30 minutes or 30 hours— make it count.
As time marches forward, we must intentionally choose which friendships to nourish. “What really matters is that we’re cultivating a few relationships in our lives with people that we’ve chosen to be there for, and people that we know will be there for us. The people who are willing to make the effort and the people that you’re willing to make the effort for are gonna be those long-term people that stick around forever.”
The other reality is that some friendships have a shelf life and need to expire for other ones (often fewer ones) to flourish and thrive. This is Okay. Selectivity matters. Quality > quantity. Choose your friends wisely, near or far, old or new.
Friends are the family we get to choose and La familia es para siempre
Crump's Corner 
Keith, hope your doing well in the south… Its been awhile since we have been in touch. Have you settled into you new place ok? I have been meaning to give you a call. However, life always seems to get in my way.
I think a lot about the people that have crossed my path on one or more occasions, some of them stayed close and some distanced themselves. There was nothing that caused our alliance to fall apart, but I have noticed that whenever a change in circumstances it created a separation.
I have many acquaintances that have enriched my life in various ways, and I am thankful my journey has crossed paths with them in someway, distance and other life events have understandably put us on different roads. However, I also recognize that these relationships are a two way street. Distance could be a deterrent to remaining close but it is worth the effort to stay in touch. There are no guarantees in life, so its up to each individual to make the effort.
Life can be ordinary in so many ways but can present challenges that could put us on a dead end path. In recent days I have reunited with friends that I never though I would ever talk to again. These are the type of people that support and enrich me I have always believed that true friendship binds people by impenetrable sensitivities. I have always believed and have taught my children that friends are the family that you choose. You might not have the same blood ties through your veins but you share history and a sense of caring and connection that can be as strong as any root within a family..
hopefully we will talk soon…
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