Friend things

I visited a friend today. We talked and talked, while eating, while putting together a jigsaw puzzle, while walking around her living room. We both need to keep our circulation going, so we set a timer and every half hour we got up and walked. Her dog barked at us and whimpered while we ate. She said her father had started feeding the dog from the table, which he’s not supposed to do. I hardheartedly told the dog he was not getting any food from me, and after a couple more whimpers he went to the couch and laid down. When the timer rang he looked up hopefully. Then she fed him at his bowl on the floor.

The whole experience felt good. We laughed, we mourned, we commiserated, we told each other how our lives are going. We shared insights. It has been two months since we met to puzzle together. I missed her. We have good conversation, open honest conversation, and lots of laughter. We have some acquaintance with each other’s children and we both hope for the best for them. Her daughter has had a steady boyfriend, a good man, for ten months now. My eldest son has had the same girlfriend for over a year. We both feel blessed; they could choose so many other people. We parents feel better knowing they have chosen well so far.

I came home feeling much more relaxed than when I left. Laughter and talking and hugs fill my soul, a hunger so deep and elusive that it drives me crazy in the night. We are friends; we do friend things.