Friendship

Happy U.S. Thanksgiving!

As an American living in Canada, I feel obligated to express thanks on both countries’ holidays. Today, I am grateful for a life rich in friendships. One in particular lives in mad, magical, New York City. I recently visited her for a whirlwind weekend of Broadway shows, shopping, museum hopping, dining, and catching up on each other’s lives. It was an awesomely exhausting and fantastic experience, from which I am still recovering.

Bonnie plays a unique role in my cast of characters. She’s known me since high school and was my roommate at University of Michigan for two years. She was my helpless witness as I spiralled downward into an anorexic/bulimic mess. We parted ways when I went into the hospital. For years I carried guilt with me for exposing her to my insanity, for being obsessive and depressive, and ruining her college experience.

Fast forward about 28 years. Remember the few words I wrote about Facebook? This is one of those examples of the gods of cyberspace smiling upon me and reconnecting me with Bonnie. It turns out that she also felt quite guilty for not knowing how to be my friend back then. We have since grown up and evolved as women, and have not only forgiven each other, but more importantly, have forgiven ourselves for our imperfections and misguided decisions. I’m so thankful to have been given the opportunity to nurture this friendship. It is a true gift.

“No man is an island.” Our neuroses, issues, and busy-ness can make us feel isolated and alone. But it’s our relationships that are essential to our survival in this crazy world, and worth the effort it takes to make them last. It only takes a few seconds to send an email or make a phone call to let someone know you’re thinking about them; those seconds could have a profound effect on your psyche and give you the strength to see you through difficult times. Extend the hand of friendship and you will reap rewards for which you will be eternally thankful.