Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

I had a long talk with a friend yesterday in the middle of the day. These talks with friends are pretty much what keep me going. And because we had the time to do it, she described her relationship with her brother and sister-in-law. This was all new information to me, as we haven't had, in the past, the luxury to do much more than talk about events and travels and kids. I learned many things, and it rearranged in my mind her life, which I thought I knew so well. I really LISTENED, and without looking at my watch, just listened as if I had all the time in the world, which I do. It's wonderful to discover that the "story" you know about someone you love is different and more complex than you imagined. These talks bring me closer to her. And my friend who lives nearby has described as we walk, masked and distanced, personal feelings and thoughts that without the pandemic, we probably wouldn't have shared. It's truly a different way of connecting. I seldom speak to my cousin in the midwest, but recently, I've talked to her several times, and discovered that it's as if we'd been in close touch all along, when actually, we were lucky to talk once a year. I get an opportunity to witness her strength, and kindness and courage. It makes me believe I can aspire to be like her. She's also twelve years older, so I get to see growing older is still a gift. I'm taking a moment now to really notice this post-pandemic dynamic, and receive the blessing of hearts growing closer and bigger.