Today I spent some time with a special friend I have known for around 35 years. We were both single parents and taught in the same school. On Friday nights I took the four children swimming, while she got the fish suppers in. It was a tough time, but a merry time, especially in the precious 20 minute car journey at the beginning and end of each work day - the only time we were child free. We attended the same church and walked our dogs together. We laughed uproariously at the same things - mostly smutty. We saw each other through any number of crises in our lives.
These days, when we get together, our conversation is usually about about our adult children and our grandchildren. We laugh at silly things and we talk about the work we are both still doing. We are supposedly retired, but I teach mindfulness meditation and she teaches Sherbourne Developmental Movement. Recently, however, we have talked a bit more about how our paths have diverged. She is still a church goer and a believer - I am neither. I'm so glad this topic has opened up for us. Not to talk about something that is so important for her seems to create an unnecessary distance, but I shrank from the topic for fear of giving offence.
I spent much of my early years in the church, so many of my friends from those days were people of faith. Some have become more conservative in their beliefs over the years, some more liberal. Some no longer believe at all. Yet I do not ask them where they are in their spiritual journey, and they never enquire about mine.
Time is running out for us all now and I want to have these conversations before it is too late, and in a loving, respectful way. Maybe this is why I started this blog - to help make that possible.
If any of this speaks to you - pull up a chair, pour out a cup of tea and join in the conversation.
These days, when we get together, our conversation is usually about about our adult children and our grandchildren. We laugh at silly things and we talk about the work we are both still doing. We are supposedly retired, but I teach mindfulness meditation and she teaches Sherbourne Developmental Movement. Recently, however, we have talked a bit more about how our paths have diverged. She is still a church goer and a believer - I am neither. I'm so glad this topic has opened up for us. Not to talk about something that is so important for her seems to create an unnecessary distance, but I shrank from the topic for fear of giving offence.
I spent much of my early years in the church, so many of my friends from those days were people of faith. Some have become more conservative in their beliefs over the years, some more liberal. Some no longer believe at all. Yet I do not ask them where they are in their spiritual journey, and they never enquire about mine.
Time is running out for us all now and I want to have these conversations before it is too late, and in a loving, respectful way. Maybe this is why I started this blog - to help make that possible.
If any of this speaks to you - pull up a chair, pour out a cup of tea and join in the conversation.