The value of friends and family

It's hard to put a value on friends, until you've had them for a while.

I've heard people say that if you can count your friends on one hand, consider yourself lucky!

It's important to have friends, just as it is important to have family.

In fact, if you can have both friends and family, I think you have it made.

With all of the recent events going on in the world, I find myself checking in with my friends and family, a little more frequently than usual.

Although I am not one to worry usually, I feel more concerned about what everyone is doing, where they are and that they are aware of their surroundings.

Something as small as having lunch in a restaurant has turned into a pretty big deal.

Now having to sit at least 6 feet away from the next table, sometimes having to wear a mask until you get to the table, and giving your order to a waitress who is wearing a mask, is an unusual circumstance.

I suppose if we had grown up having to take all of these precautions, it wouldn't be such a big deal.

Not to mention people who are having peaceful protests that in fact don't seem so peaceful to me...it's all a bit unsettling.

Back to checking in with my friends and family. Interestingly enough, I almost feel like "Mother Hen" right now, even though I've never had kids, and most of my friends and family are 10+ years older than myself.

I find myself calling everyone who has been in my life for a long time, more frequently, texting, sending photos and when I can squeeze a visit in, I do it!

When I visit, now, it seems as though there is almost a screening that goes on, before either one of us takes a step, making sure that both parties are comfortable with face-to-face contact. We are all at an age where we are all being as careful as possible, following the safety measures provided by the state, and then some.

We've made it this far, let's not blow everything into the wind!

The first time I experienced someone putting an elbow up to me, I thought they had lost their mind...what on earth....

Anyway, I can touch elbows with anyone now, wear a mask, communicate through more head nods and hand gestures, knowing that people cannot see my smile.

My friends and family still get a big hug, after

we are in the door, the depth behind each hug seems to have a greater meaning to me than ever before.

There are many more virtual meetings and facetime conversations, where we can see each other's faces; sometimes the person is up so close that we can count the wrinkles on those beautiful faces.

Enjoy the moment, enjoy your friends and family, today and always. Stay in close contact and most of all, show that you really care.

Cindy Langlois