Not long ago I answered a telephone call
From an old friend I’d not heard from for a long time.
‘Hi,’ he said.
‘I just wanted to see how you’re getting along.’
For whatever reason,
Our paths had simply not crossed for a long, long, time.
It was good to talk with him.
I wondered why we hadn’t kept in touch better.
Toward the end of the conversation, he said,
‘If you need me in any way,
I’ll be happy to help out.’ And he meant it!
That call came at just the right time, as they so often do.
I needed those words of encouragement.
I hung up the phone feeling
A satisfying lump of warmth in my chest.
And that day I re-learned something important about life:
Life is primarily about people,
Not plans and schedules,
Not to-do lists and a million tasks left undone –
it’s about PEOPLE!!
To love and to know that we are loved
Is the greatest happiness of existence.
And happiness seems to be something
That is in short supply for too many of us!
My friend reminded me that it is never enough
Just to love; we must also express it.
What good are our affectionate feelings
Toward others if we don’t find ways to let them know?
George William Childs put it like this:
‘Do not keep the alabaster box of your love
And friendship sealed up until
Your friends are dead.
Fill their lives with sweetness.
Speak approving, cheering words
While their ears can hear them and
While their hearts can be thrilled and made happier.
The kind things you mean to say
When they are gone, say before they go.’
Even Happiness . . .
May be just a phone call
Or email away!!
