LonSharon: Have I Offended You or Have We Grown Apart?

Recently, we had a long time, and what we consider a close friend ask that question. "Have I done something to offend you or have we grown apart?"

It seems to me our lives are in a constant state of flux. Can you remember your preschool friends? Can you remember your elementary, junior high, and high school friends? Are they the same people? Can you remember your friends at your first job? Who are your friends at your current job? Are they the same people? You Seniors, who were your friends at your last job? Who are your friends now? Are they the same people?

Hey, I get it, these people will always be our friends. It's just that they won't be the friends we see often, do things with, converse with, and look to when we need help. That's what I mean by the way our lives change.

Then, there a a few who seem so be so select that a special relationship is maintained over time, like a familial bond. However, it takes effort from both sides of the relationship. One side cannot maintain a friendship of a lifetime. If we are lucky we maintain a lifetime bond with one or two friends. What is the old saying? If you want to have a friend, be a friend.

It is not now, nor has it ever been, our intent to hurt any of our friends. None of you have offended us. Yes, we have grown apart from many of our friends. It was not planned, it is just circumstances. We don't see each other, we don't do things together, we don't communicate often, and we are busy with activities that make it difficult to maintain that close relationship. Again, it's not that we don't care about you and love you but neither we nor you have been committed to the effort necessary for keeping the friendship what it was.

So, don't be upset with us or throw digs at us like we have intentionally left you out of our lives. Those comments will only alienate us from each other. What are you expecting our response will be? Yes, you offended me or no, you didn't offend me and I'm sorry if I hurt you?

We aren't apologizing for living our lives and moving on from school days, working days, and other life situations. You all need to move on with your lives. Do not let us or anyone else make you unhappy or depressed.

We have so many good and close friends and I don't mean to belittle our relationships. I guess my message needs to express what Sharon says about the RV lifestyle,

"The hardest part about it is leaving our friends, family, and all the new friends we make along the way."