Connections
There’s a saying that people come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. I haven’t been able to track down the origin of these words, but they certainly make sense. While we know each type of person in different ways, we started at the same place with them all. Before the connections were made, we were just strangers to one and other.
Since leaving the bureaucratic world of the civil service, with its hierarchies and corporate structure, I’ve missed the buzz of working within central government. But I’ve also met people still based in that sort of environment, and every time, they remind me of all the reasons I don’t miss it. They’re usually fine individuals, but it’s sometimes as though happenstance has nudged them across my path to remind me not of what I left behind, but of what I have now. And I wouldn’t trade places for anything. I do believe that these people come into my life for this reason.
I’ve met many people who I’ve stayed with for a season. Often through work, study, or hobbies. People from whom I’ve learnt, and bonded, but not to the extent that our connection endures. We might spend months, or even years, together, but once the time is up, we move on. Not with any ill will towards one and other, our lives just flow in different directions.
Then, there are the lifetime connections. I wrote a piece last year about friendships, and how important they are to us all. People who are there for a lifetime don’t necessarily appear when we’re young. They might wander into our lives halfway through, and stick with us.
In current times, with the possibility (likelihood?) that many of us will have to take action to self-isolate over the coming weeks, it is these lifetime connections which are particularly important. The friends who we don’t necessarily see regularly, but know we can connect with at any time and pick up where we left off last time. The ones who understand that if we contact them on social media, email, or telephone, we’re connecting because we want to. Not because we feel we ought to.
If you’re fortunate (as I am) to count family in this group, then you have real lifetime connections. My sisters are particularly important to me. We’ve been together for life, and although we don’t live geographically near one and other, we’re extremely close. We have the sort of bonds which strengthen in adversity as well as in success.
With my sisters …. 
… I don’t have enough pictures of the three of us together as adults
Whoever your people for life are, remember that they travel with you because they choose to. Even in isolation, don’t feel alone. Reach out and connect.
Lovely post, and yes, we need more photos!!
Thank you. Must take more photos, and make sure we print them out too!
Great piece, Emma! Yes, those connections are so important. I can trace back over the years some specific people who have meant so much to me with their acceptance and help, especially at times of difficulty, and those contacts have continued, some for a shorter time, and some for longer. There are people today who have been a help many years ago (for example at Uni), or that I’ve simply spent time with, with whom I can just pick up the friendship where it left off. Those connections and friendships are often lasting ones, and even if not, we and they have benefited from one another’s company part-way on our journeys.
That’s a good way to look at it, Trevor. As companionship which benefits both parties – whether for the short, medium, or long term. I think every encounter we have with somebody offer an opportunity to learn, and to enrich one and other’s lives. Even if we don’t realise that at the time. Thank you for reading, and hope to see you soon!
Great piece of writing and I count you among my closest friends even though we dont see each other often but always communicate
Thank you. You are one of my closest friends. Even if we’re not geographically close, the world feels safer knowing you’re there.
Same here! Times like this make you appreciate your friends and maybe all the simple things in life which we may have all forgotten how much we take for granted. Hopefully it will make us all appreciate these more. Stay safe