I have a challenge for you.  This is especially for those of you (us) who are considered to be “middle aged” and who may have lost touch with a friend or two over the years.  Find that friend and reach out. I did just that and I’ll tell you, it was just what my heart needed!

My husband and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary (see https://barbaraganias.com/2016/07/28/one-way-to-start-a-marriage-battle-mountain-honeymoon/). As I always do, I pulled out the old photo albums (we were married long before digital was born) and leafed through the yellowing pages with faded snapshots of the guests at our wedding.  We were so blessed that so many folks traveled across the country to share in our day.  As I was walking down memory lane and remembering bits and pieces of things I’d forgotten, I was struck by the faces of some of those who are still so dear to me but who I’ve lost touch with over the years.  Life gets busy.  Address books are lost. Phones now store all our contact information until a techy glitch erases everything and your memory is only left with those numbers you call regularly.

Facebook has been great for this . . . I have reconnected with my BFF from fifth grade . . . high school buddies . . . college friends.  But not everyone is on FB.

So I did what any nostalgic woman of a certain age might do.  I started googling.  Names. Places. Friends. Google showed me where my best buddy from college worked. I dialed the number. “Does JF still work there?  Will she get a card if I mailed it to this address?”  And so I did. Short and sweet, my card detailed all of my contact information.  I wanted contact to be easy — and something she could avoid if she wanted to.  Just three days later I received both a text and a phone call.  We picked up as if no time had passed.  My heart filled and spilled over with friendship and joy. What a moment.

Your challenge: look through that old photo album — the one that is showing its age. Remember. Scour your memory for that person you wish you could chat with.  Google them. Send them a heartfelt card, touching base.  Make it short and sweet — give them an easy way to be in touch. Expect nothing. But maybe, your heart will reconnect with that friend — and you’ll both be smiling. Do it.