Addendum to last entry

"I read your blog and I can't help but get defensive. I think proximity is in an issue in matters relating to intercontinental travel or even transcontinental relationships, but 45 minutes to an hours travel time should not matter nearly as much. I think the former vice president said it best, “We have everything we need..., with the possible exception of the will to act.”

What you need to add to your definition of a true friend is the will to act accordingly.

You and I are not so unalike in our unashamed openness; it's a significant risk. For two sensitive people it makes no sense whatsoever actually. Without it however, I fear I just would not be the same so I plod on being myself and hoping that those that I love will always love me back. The messages we send to try and convey that love are often jumbled and incoherent, or muted by quirks in either our ability to articulate or the receiver’s ability to, well, receive. The goal, the task we are saddled with, is to never stop trying to get the message through. Therein lies the will to act again."

A dear friend of mine, Louis, wrote the following response to my past blog entry. After thinking about it and feeling the impact of what he said, I recognize that the ability to act is missing in my defintion of friendship.

I am capable of making plans and scheduling time to be with people. The actions required for maintaining close relationships include: calling friends, setting up common times to meet, booking plane tickets, driving, and sending cards, gifts, and emails. Do I have the energy for that? Do I make time to keep my friendships alive? That’s more of the question I have to ask myself.

Music: “No Time This Time” The Police- Regatta De Blanc