I spent a long time on the phone yesterday. I wish I saw friends more in person, but that becomes more difficult as our lives get busy and we retire away from each other and traveling is something none of us is doing as often. I checked in with my one friend about our grandchildren, and we caught up on what's happening with her granddaughter and my grandson, who are two weeks apart. Then I had a really long discussion with my long time friend about grandchildren, our families, and some decisions I was in the process of making. I felt comforted when I hung up, and the dogs love it when I talk on the phone. They settle in around me and snooze.
At the very least, I'm a good sleeping machine for the dogs. But what also happens is I metaphorically balance myself by touching base with friends. Partly it's because I hear way I say and know more what I think, and partly it's because I do really listen and absorb advice. I am often too intense about stuff that comes up, and it helps when another tells me the world will continue on and whatever I do is not of major consequence. So I must get a bit big headed, and need just the pin prick to get me right sized.
I spent the rest of the evening watching a movie on TV that was aimed at thirty somethings, and I had that anthropological feeling I was researching what their lives are like. The film was all about dating, and since I know nothing of that scene and never did, it made me sympathetic to the challenges and humiliations of people wanting to settle down but with the wrong people, or people searching for a life partner and coming up empty. It's a rough world out there in the bars and clubs, and online; just brutal at times. I was grateful my own kids have found wonderful life partners and seem to have achieved stability, family and love.
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