Friendship lost friendship found
Nov 3rd, 2007 by Ollie Lind
Recently I spoke of losing a friend. It ended when the other person reacted very negatively about my decision not to associate with them in an an area of our lives that overlapped.
As I said, I was saddened, but would not resile from what I believed to be true. I thought a great deal about the situation as we will be running into each other at least weekly and quite possibly sooner. In spite of the abuse he hurled at me I decided that he must have felt justified in his universe.
So, I didn’t hold any ill feelings, just decided to allow him to be as he was. Well, we crossed paths today and I just sat to one side and concentrated on what I was doing.
He called to me and I acknowledged him. He said, “You can smile, can you.” I grinned and nodded. We started talking, in a guarded fashion about things that were ‘safe,’ that is, we were unlikely to disagree on.
We’re not back where we were, but there is some communication going on. I think he feels better about it now. I hope so.
When he made the reach to me I had a decision to make. I could have brought about an unpleasant situation or I could have responded positively. I did the latter.
He, like me, is a proud man and It took some courage on his part to make the move.
Hell, good friends are hard to find and there is enough angst in the world without creating more. I am positive the situation eased because I decided in my universe to hold nothing negative from the experience.
I’m pleased I was right.
Ollie