THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

Friends have always been a vital part of my life. Since our move here seven years ago, I have missed having close friends nearby. Without friends, most days revolve around work and family time. While I enjoy both of these things, friends take one's life to another level.

Fortunately, I still have friends throughout the country, though I do not see them as frequently as I would like. For that reason, the last few weeks have felt invigorating due to visits by two close friends from Austin and my visit to one of my best friends from medical school in New York. I did not realize how much my life was wanting until I had a chance to see these loved ones.

What is it that makes a friend so special? The shorter answer may come from the question what don't friends bring to one's life? Friends remind you who you are and how far you have traveled. Friends introduce us to new pleasures and perspectives. Friends provide comfort, solace, and understanding in a world that often feels cold and remote. Friends are like family, but they love you even though you're not related!

My life would be very empty without the many friends who have and continue to touch my life. I have tried to be that kind of friend to them, too, over the years. Amidst all the chaos, suffering, and confusion, friends offer a lifeline, a throughline, and a mainline of experiences and memories that can last a lifetime. 

If you haven't reached out to a friend lately, I encourage you to do so. I promise you will feel much better and so will they. I know I do everytime I see an old friend or make a new one!