New Friends With Old Faces

What is New With You?


The universe has a way of teaching you things you never thought possible. I started this blog as a way to heal myself. Really, after writing letters to my dad and siblings about past traumas I had endured, I started this as a mental health journey to share my story so no one else would ever have to feel alone. I never thought it would actually reach someone. It turns out that by blocking a few hundred people and by getting writer’s block, by decluttering the house and by being unemployed, I had some free time to ask people how they were and reconnect with old friends. And old friends reconnected with me???

I had a story of a friend who I met over the course of less than two months. She had been following my life. I hadn’t been quite so attentive to her life, I’ll admit it. But she was always a cool person in my eyes. I don’t know why I do, but some people I just can’t let go of, and she was one of them. I blocked the rest of the people in our “group” over time, but kept her, never quite knowing why. Well, she replied to a Facebook or blog post after years of no contact. Apparently she’s a therapist, and something I said struck a nerve with her (in a good way if I remember correctly). We started talking again! Things are crazy like that!

One friend from college out of the blue messaged me to tell me he’s read my blog. He and I are becoming friends after nearly a decade of not speaking to each other! Life has changed for both of us so much that while we never would have talked in college, we are slowly becoming friends again. 

Other people from college, I have messaged to see how they were doing out of the blue, and they have wildly different lives! Even my brother’s life has changed since last speaking to him! Things are happening: good, bad, and in between. I don’t mean to say that the bad things aren’t absolutely terrible, because there are some horrible things going on: sickness, disability, job loss, loss of emotions and trauma, etc. That doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the good things either: the coming out of someone as queer/gay, new jobs, new relationships, new houses, people finding new things out about themselves!

Life keeps turning, whether it’s a great day or a shite day or an ordinary day. I’m starting to like those ordinary days more and more. While it’s true that nothing memorable happens in them unless you make something happen, there’s nothing wrong with snuggling up under a good blanket, getting a good hug from someone, or just having a nice cup of tea or coffee.

So…what’s new with you?

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