Call my friends more often.

I called a high school friend on Monday, who called another on Tuesday, who called me on Weds. It was so much fun talking to each other that we decided we needed another get-together before the end of 2009. A small one. We love the big gatherings (20-30 people ) but we can’t talk and catch up as much.

And where to have it? I unfortunately have not kept up on my Fly Lady routines as I’d hoped so I wasn’t comfortable having people over (that MUST change in the new year). So I called another friend and outright asked if he’d host. His response? “Yep – my home is open. Just bring extra chairs.”

Since he was so generous, I told him I’d arrange it all. I shot a FB message out to our core group with a choice of 2 dates. Surprise, surprise – everyone was able to make it on one of those dates.

Sometimes things just work out. All from 1 phone call.

I’ve actually been doing a little more of this lately.

I’ve got another high school get-together coming up and I’ve been trying to find some people. Email works, so does Face Book, but I’ve made a few calls, hoping to pry open memories. A little conversation goes a long way.

Sometimes the old-fashioned way of connecting is still the best.

The other day on the way home from work, I pulled out my cell and began scrolling – who to call? I don’t have a long commute – about 20 minutes – but it seemed like a good time to reach out and touch someone (do they say that anymore?).

I called a high school friend (I’m still in touch with quite a few). She wasn’t home so I left her a message, just saying hi.

She called me that night. She proceeded to tell me her older (by 15 years) was going in for heart surgery the next day at a hospital near me. Oh my! My brother-in-law is a Physician’s Assistant, working in the Cardiac wing of the same hospital.

After getting off the phone, I called him. He checked the schedule and coincidently, is scheduled to care for her sister. Small world! I gave him my friend’s cell number.

A day later, my friend IM’d me to say my brother-in-law checked in with her twice during the surgery, and after in recovery. She said he was great.

Then she thanked me. “For what?”, I said, “I didn’t do anything”. She said that by calling her, I ended up helping her get through a very difficult day. By hooking her up with my brother-in-law, she had a “regular” person to explain things to her and get her answers, relieving much of her concern and worry.

All from 1 phone call.

Last night, I got home late from work, was rushing to make dinner so I could go see my folks before running out for a meeting. In the midst of this, the phone rang. I didn’t think, just picked it up.

It was one of my friends I left a message for the other day. She told me how happy she was to have received my message (that was nice to hear). She then filled me in on her life – she’s a teacher and is having “qualification” issues at school, her husband is on disability, she has a teenage daughter (‘nuff said) and a mom with Alzheimers (ditto).

I just listened. Clearly, she needed to talk. When she was done, she apologized profusely for monopolizing the conversation. I just laughed and said something corny like “that’s what friends are for”. But when I got off the phone, I thought about that corny expression. It’s true. Like I said when I added this goal, in order to have friends, I need to be a friend.
Some day, I may be the one that needs to monopolize the conversation.

Last night, I called a friend I haven’t seen since May. Or at least dialed the number….I got her voice mail.
OK, no biggee, let’s call someone else. I found the number for a friend I haven’t seen since February. Nope, got her voice mail too.
A little frustrated. I was all geared up to chat, to catch up…then nothing. Oh well…
Funny…but I went on 43T to get my “conversation” fix!

Last weekend, I went to Atlantic City for a little R & R. While there, I called 2 friends that live down there who I hadn’t spoken to for more than 1 year. (I used to live ‘down south’ too)

For one, I got her machine and left a miss-you message. For the other, I had called her the week prior and we made plans to meet at the casino where I was staying. Conicidently, she’d planned to be there Sunday afternoon also. Unfortunately, despite our advance planning, our timing was off and we never hooked up. We were both disappointed but at least we had a chance to catch up by phone.

Next time, we’ll be sure to make time for a face-to-face.

I went thru my phone book to see who I’d like to reach out to – by phone. In the last 2 weeks, I called 3 friends that I haven’t spoken to for awhile.
I spoke to one – just general catching up which was nice. Another one called me back Friday night, but I was out. I was glad she called back because she was the one I didn’t think would. I’ll try to get back to her today. The 3rd one has not called me back yet. I’ll give her another week before I call or email her again. Hopefully, this communication will keep going for awhile.

In the last few days, I got replies from 2 of the people I emailed. Yeah! Both had been on vacation and were catching up on email. Yes, I will at some point actually CALL friends again but at least email is opening the door for future contact.

I haven’t heard from all of the people I emailed (don’t people check email?) so I tried IM’s. If they’re online and visible – I got ‘em!

Tonight I IM’d 2 high school friends and had nice “chats” with each – caught up on family news and made tentative plans with one of them for August.

This is a great goal but there are SO many ways to reach people, there are more ways to NOT find them….

still no reply from the college roomy but of the other 3 friends I emailed, I replied Sunday night. So excited!

She moved to FL about a year ago and she filled me in on her new life, how her son is adjusting (he love-loves it!). I was very glad to hear her say it was the best decision she ever made. I miss her but am so happy for her.

I’ll respond today and hopefully we’ll keep in contact more often. Now, where are the others?