There were quite a few people at my mother’s funeral this week. I did a pretty good job of remember names and a few details about their lives. I enjoyed chatting with them and hearing them remember their friendship and association with my mother and father. My mother was not gregarious, out-going or a social butterfly. In fact, I think she suffered from some social anxiety.
What I learned from this celebration of her life is that she was a good friend. She was a reliable treasurer and adviser to the Mu Phi Epsilon Chapter in Cleveland Heights, Ohio for many years. She had a gentle way about her but it was never a good idea to cross her sense of right and wrong! She devoted her life to her husband and children. Her faith journey passed from the Methodist Church to a Plymouth Brethren Assembly and then to a Disciples of Christ Church. My entire family was strongly influenced by the Billy Graham ministry. After my father died, she was afraid to be alone. Her final days were spent wrestling with God about her final breath.
Location, location, location
The advantages of living in the same city, never moving, never being far from home for long really enabled my mother to have long-lasting friendships. It was such a joy to be surround by so many of her life long friends and some of my own during this time of sorrow and celebration.
What does it take to establish and maintain important relationships and long distance friendships?
Does the internet, Facebook, text-messaging, email and actual phone conversations really do the trick?
What are the benefits of being around people that have know you “forever”?
Share your thoughts!
Tuned In Coaching is Tuned In to You! 