Friends forever?

A little over a week ago I had an opportunity to catch up with a couple of really old friends from high school. I hadn't seen them in years. Russ was the best man in my wedding and now lives in Austin Texas, and Larry was a fast friend who was also at my wedding, which just happens to be the last time I saw him...almost 22 years ago to the day. I had a wonderful time and I feel horrible as well.

Russ (in TX) and I have talked occassionally over the years and have marginally kept up through e-mail. We have both gotten married and have families. Plus we have the added burden of distance between us as well. One can easily see how we could lose touch. Larry, whom I haven't seen in over 20 years, and have talked with maybe 3 or 4 times over that span, lives in a southern suburb about twenty minutes from my house...and has for over a decade! What's my excuse? On top of that, he lives about 5 blocks from my friend Rick from church, and I've been to his house many times over the last several years. I know that communication is a two way street but that doesn't absolve me of the responsibility of keeping in touch. I am such a heel!

Both of my friends have beautiful wives and great children. What have I been missing all these years? I have definitely had a full life with little to complain about and much to be thankful for, but how much richer could my life have been if I had put out a little effort to keep these cool people in my life?

Thankfully we are only in our mid forties and our kids are still young so we have plenty of time to catch up and move forward together. Here in writing, for God and the world to see, I vow to not let this happen again. Good friends are too hard to come by. I am going to guess that everyone has a Russ and a Larry in their past, and I encourage you that as soon as you are done reading this post and commenting if you like, open your e-mail and send them a note...preferably with photos of the kids.