Last weekend, I shared a playlist my sister and I “built” featuring 25 songs of kindness and friendship. We each suggested songs for the playlist, and frequently, we both ended up suggesting the same song. One that we both suggested right off the bat was The Beatles’ Get By With a Little Help. It was an obvious choice for both of us.

… Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

In fact, I can’t quite imagine how I’d get through my days without connecting with my friends. Real-life friends and blog-friends, both. I actually don’t have a big bunch of real-life friends, and certainly no real “bestie” (I’ve lived in too many “places” over the course of my life to have those kind of deep, long-term, “bestie” connections), but I do have a core set of real-life friends I can count on.

One longtime friend and I enjoy monthly, 4-hour lunches together where we discuss pretty much . .  everything. (Although we’ve agreed to let political discussions go at this point. Because we just . . . can’t anymore.) Another friend is notorious for inviting me over for impromptu meals (she is a most excellent cook; I never say no). She’s the same friend who kept me going in those initial post-election days by sending Spotify playlists full of upbeat dance music. Yet another friend recently gave JoJo a special dog advent calendar full of cookies. (We also knit together sometimes.) And another friend has an amazing art studio/workshop in her basement — and she’s invited me over to “play” and create together on a standing, every-Tuesday-afternoon basis . . . until the end of time. (She also serves Afternoon Wine at 3:00; kind of like Afternoon Tea  . . only it’s wine.)

That last friend I mentioned. . . the one with the amazing art studio and the wine . . . is a recent re-connection, and a true gift to me right now. 

We first met years ago in an art class (she was my colored pencil instructor; I think I wrote about her in blog posts of the distant past). We really hit it off. She’s one of those fun, energetic, outgoing people you just want to hang out with. I remember one day, as I was leaving class, she pulled me aside and said, “I think we should be friends.” We went out for a glass of wine, and . . . that was that.

But then the pandemic arrived, and the pandemic was hard on so many things. Including friendships. Sadly, we just sort of drifted apart.

Earlier this fall, though, I got to thinking about her again. After much hemming and way too much hawing, I took a bold step . . . and reached out to her with a text. (It’s so hard to make the first move, y’know?) She responded right away, and within days we met to catch up over a glass of wine. It was like no time had elapsed (although we did have several years to catch up on . . . )

And now? Well, we’re getting together every Tuesday afternoon for art and chatter and wine. It’s fun — and it’s helping us both feel better about all those things we can’t control. It’s been great to re-connect with an old friend.

So here’s the deal. We need each other – probably now more than ever. It’s time to shore up our friendships and trusted relationships. It’s time to connect – or re-connect – with “our people,” whether they be in our real-lives or online. Although I’m sure some people are strong enough to go it alone here, I tend to think everything is easier to bear when we have people to share the experience – and our lives – with.

Reach out.
Connect.

Now, ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend
When people can be so cold?
They’ll hurt you, yes, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them
Oh, but don’t you let them

– Carole King, You’ve Got a Friend

Come.
Fill your cup!