Blog: Rich with Relationships

My mother knew the value of relationships long before she and my dad formed the county’s first relationship education nonprofit a few years ago (The Marriage Resource Center).

Mom and Dad had a nose for fun and wholesome family events while we were growing up and we were always meeting lots of new people along the way.

I actually remember being worried at one point about upsetting my current pals when I added new friends to my circle.  I guess I was anxious about balancing all those relationship dynamics even as a kid. Of course, that was long before Facebook and social networking.  Now, lots of people have hundreds of “friends,” many of whom they hardly even know!

At any rate, my mother had some good advice for me back then.  It came in the form of a little song that she taught us:

Make new friends and keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold.

Such profound advice in such a few words.  I hummed this song to myself frequently as I was growing up and I wore it out once I became a Girl Scout since it was a part of our handbook. It was a rhythmic reminder that I should always cherish my “old friends” even as I moved on to new adventures.

This week I took time out for breakfast with an “old friend”--time that passed way too quickly. Sherry and I met in French class in 9th grade at Westminster High. We had the toughest teacher, Mademoiselle Wentz. She could say the "bon" in bonjour with more power than the Drum Corps.

We made it through French and many more of life's challenges since then. Yet, no matter how much time passes between our visits, we always seem to be able to pick up right where we left off. Now our kids are friends, too, just not in French class.

Lunch time that same day brought around some “new friends” for a brown-bag working lunch. I love their energy and am inspired by their creativity.  These relationships have grown a lot quicker, if you will, since we stay connected on Facebook, and by email and texting.

Later that evening, supper was light: pizza and fresh lettuce from our garden. My guest was a very special “old friend”--my 96-year old grandmother.  I brought her home for a few hours to enjoy the chaos--a sort of respite from retirement living.  My seven year old daughter asked Gram about her ancestors and what she’d been up to lately. 

We all laughed and shared together for a while, making the most of our time together. Gram's friendship provides that essential connection to the past while offering support and encouragement for today.

You know, this classic song above might suggest that my oldest friends are gold and my newer ones are silver. But I’m not so sure. Relationships from all parts of my life are precious and have significant value to me.  I treasure each of them.