We know I have a bad memory, so forgive me if I've written a post like this before. But the sentiment remains, in any case, and it's not a bad one to repeat.
The worst thing about graduation? It's going to split up the family. The summer brings fancy plans of far-flung adventures; people leave the city. Leases end; jobs need to be found. I'll probably move back to London.
WOAH! But that's not cool - what about all these nice people that I've met in the last six months? (I think I had this dilemma leaving NZ?) I'm so lucky - everywhere I go I meet awesome people. But since I move around quite a bit, I'm always leaving some of them behind. One of my favourite games is 'who will I know in a year that I don't now?' Obv, there's no answer until a year later, but then of course you just shift to 'who do I know now that I didn't know a year ago?' The answer is always, ALWAYS, a frigging lovely bunch of people.
Coming back from NZ has been interesting in terms of friends, particularly in Edinburgh (tho I've also been thrilled to be in touch with London stalwarts and new recruits from across the globe). I've definitely met some brilliant new people, as well as rekindled old friendships, but also noticed radio silence with others and become better friends with people I knew before but didn't really hang out with.
It just goes to show that there are so many different kinds of friends and friendships. But maybe that's obvious - people play different roles in your life. Some friends you see only once or twice a year, or even more sporadically, but the moment you see them it's like the last time was yesterday. Others you can see weekly but still fade with time. And that's okay too - friendship can't be forced. And you never know what the future will bring.
I've always thought that friends are a fluid concept. I hope I will always have some, but who they are will vary. That's not to say that any particular friend or group of friends is any better or more valued than any other(s). I love you all, and I don't forget kindnesses done to me (I hope). I don't forget who I've wronged. Do as you would be done by, right? I try to give as good as I get. At the back of my diary is a little list of names: 'kindness owed'; 'apologies owed'. Each year, being a list maker, I make note of who has played a significant role in my life. My friends are my family too.
What I'm trying to say is that I genuinely believe that I would be nothing without my friends - they (you!) make me who I am. And how bloody lucky am I to be able to count so many people as my friends? That we should all be that rich. You can have everything I have, money, clothes, possessions, health, skills, knowledge, whatever, but don't take my friends away. I'm repeatedly flattered by your curious commitment to me - to my happiness, to supporting me; appearing at my dinner table, at my musical endeavors; laughing at my jokes, tolerating my casual disinterest (or should that be the other way round?)
Forgive my unusual display of sentiment, but I've been thinking about this post for a while. Today just seemed like the right time to say 'thanks, guys' in a round about sort of way. Cos no matter what happens to me, I know you'll be there. And I promise that I'll be here for you too.
Just wanted to say.
A x
