keep in better touch with friends & family

Although I’ve seeing a lot of friends and family lately, I’m feeling a heavy descent after finding out that 3 of my core girlfriends are leaving town. One took off for Australia yesterday (she met a man), one leaves for Winnipeg later in the month (she found a job), and a third is going home to Newfoundland after decades here in Vancouver.

It’s a bit selfish on my part, I know, but it’s really dragging me down. There are numerous people I lost regular touch with when I entered mommy-land, and I cherish the ones I still see frequently. It’s also coming up on the second anniversary of Paul’s death, which remains painful.

I think I should organize something like a tea party or clothing swap so I can re-connect with some of the friends I haven’t seen in a while. And make sure the ones I still have here in town know how much they mean to me, even if I don’t call/get out as often as I used to.

In the last few months I’ve seen quite a lot of my friends & family. I’d like to keep up with it even though the wintery weather makes things more difficult. These last couple of days I’ve felt too low energy to trek out for coffee meet-ups, but I’ve taken extra time to write/call some of the people I haven’t been in touch with for too long a time. These days it really takes so little to let someone know you’re thinking about them. I know it means a lot to me when someone takes a minute so to just say ‘hey’...

Although I haven’t been keeping a decent friend/family starlog under this goal, I’ve been keeping in good touch with both. Letters, phone calls, e-mails, tea parties, mutual support, random wanderings, evening cocktails and friendly visits crop up pretty consistantly whenever possible.

Today I went to visit a good friend who just got out of the hospital, which was half a wonderful brunch & social call, and half me trying to help out where I could – she’s certainly been not only a great friend but also a solid pillar for me when I needed support. At very least I came bearing cheer, pink (fertility infused?) flowers, spicy chili chocolate, and a small, cute, dancing bear boy.

I hope we can wrangle a half decent gathering of sorts here with our mutual friends before summer is spent…

Funny how I haven’t been out for pints with my friends for months and months (or had pints at all) and this week has been a double whammy. Not to mention all the people I’ve had random plans with, and more to come.

Today was full of delicious sunshine so Isak & I had a very long walk all around the neighbourhood with Sherry. Parks, the library, shopping, stopping to talk to people, laughing… Isak eventually fell asleep, so we even stopped off for a patio pint on the way home. It was good to sit in the sunny breeze and shoot the shit, unrushed. Really good.

I haven’t kept very good track of when I’ve been seeing people lately, but it’s picked up quite a bit. Every day this week I had plans with friends, family or both, and tonight we had a casual girls night out at the local pub… pitchers, hot wings & cutting loose. It was GREAT. Shameful that it’s dwindled to an almost annual event. That needs to change.

Since I had to stay home and deal with the fridge anyway, I tried to do some goal multitasking in between the thaw & scrub runs. Other than busting the bank with free rice and partying with a pumice stone, I rolled around on the floor with my son, phoned my parents, and called several good friends, including Megan, who it was great to catch up with after much too long. We’re going to try and have a double family get together soon.

Contacted today in various ways (it would have been 6 but he called me first, the bugger). And tomorrow night we have our dinner with Claire & Frank.

I had SUCH a fantastic time at the Dance Arabia show – Claire is full of such wonderful, contagious joy when she dances (s e e ?) and I saw a number of other people I know & miss. After the show I gave her the scarf I made for her (she said she loves it!).

I also made plans with Astara (who went too), to go out for tea and fancy dessert afterwards. We laughed and somehow managed to stay afloat in the pissing rain.

I spoke with Claire Tuesday and we’re going over to have dinner with her & Frank next Wednesday, which I’m very much looking forward to.

Today I talked with my brother and we’re going to try to get together this week – it’s his birthday. My parents called too – they’re having a great time on their trip and will be back soon.

I love my friends and family. I do. I’m SO lucky and my appreciation of them is a mile wide.

Since Tuesday I’ve had a few bouts of insomnia which I used productively by writing more friends. This has been rewarded greatly with life updates, plans for coffee, playdates, cocktails, reunions, and the extra added bonus of a coveted invite to see a beloved friend perform with Dance Arabia this Sunday.

I also managed to get out several thank-you notes to far-away family, including sending the notorious vid clip of Isak and the froggy towel to my Aunt & Uncle who gave it to us.

* Exquisite photo of Kazmira taken by her wonderful and talented husband Frank (frankjulian.com).

I have got to keep in better touch with people. I want to make more of an effort to be the one reaching out rather than just responding. I also want to get out more and see people I care about in a tangible way.

I want to try and sit down at least once a week and make the effort. Tuesday in particular seems like a fine day for such things.

Today I contacted 10 people – be it a phone call, quick message, or long rambling e-mail. Sometimes it’s just nice to know someone’s thinking of you.