Tatum and I needed to kill a few hours while in Bel Air, MD last weekend. I did a Google search– “playground Bel Air MD“. I came across this site, Annie’s Playground.
The playground was such a wonderful tribute to a beautiful sweet little girl who lost her life due to a drunk driver. Can you imagine? My heart goes out to anyone who may be reading this that has had to go through this type of tragedy. Unfortunately this occurs way too often. If you do drive under the influence, please stop.
Please, for the sake of you, your family, my family, our friends and all of our children…Please stop.
This post is not about the obvious need for people to stop driving drunk. It’s about friendship.
Thank you Annie. We had such a fun time at your playground!
“The Only way To have a friend Is to be one”
-Emerson-
I never thought of friendship from this perspective. Friendship as a living breathing creature that needs to be fed and nurtured. A friendship needs help and love in order for it to grow into something healthy and strong. Otherwise it will wither away and die.
I don’t mean to be so dramatic but think about your healthiest relationships. Now think about the ones that are suffering. Sure we all have those friends who we see once or twice a year (if we’re lucky) or talk to every other month or two. These relationships are strong and can handle the distance and time but only because we were so close at one point in time.
Most relationships are not like this.
Social Media
We are living in a time when maintaining a relationship is easier than ever. Especially for a person (like myself) who does not like to talk on the phone. A simple text to say Hello goes so far. A “Like” of a Facebook post or photo can bring two people closer. If you see something you know a friend would be interested in, hit the share button and send it to them! Facebook can be very annoying at times but it is without question one of the greatest tools out there in terms of keeping in touch with people.
Instagram and Pinterest are gaining in popularity as well. It takes a second to hit the little heart beneath a photo on Instagram. And there are SO MANY cool ideas on Pinterest it’s impossible not to like many of the things that your friends are posting.
Don’t be stingy with your praises. Comment on photos you enjoy. “Like” posts by others, make people aware of the fact that you are still here and you actually care about them, their families, their dogs…whatever!
Act Like the Mayor!
There is no question that our devices make maintaining and growing a friendship easier than ever. But there is still nothing that compares to seeing each other. Hugging one another or shaking the hand of a friend. Smiling at somebody, looking them in the eye and asking them how they are. How is their family?
If you are out and you see someone in the distance, walk over to them and say hello. Don’t hide from them because you don’t know what to talk about. Or worse, ignore them only to “like” a Facebook photo later in the day!!
Yesterday, Reece saw a friend of his in our neighborhood and Clarissa and I said go over and ask her if she wants to get together. He said “I’ll just text her.”
NO!!!!
That’s the way kids want to interact. We were able to convince him to go over and talk with her. Let’s lead by example. Never miss an opportunity to see someone in person.
Feed the relationship. Don’t wait for others to start. Be the catalyst and watch your friendships grow.
-Keith Laskey-
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