Heartstrings

There’s this beautiful thing between people who know and love one another that transcends all space and time. It doesn’t have to be articulated because it’s known. There’s no shortage of it. It’s there for the taking anytime you choose. And, it doesn’t require any maintenance because, well, it’s untouchable in a sacred kind of way.

Friendships, true friendships, have this “thing” built in. It’s this invisible little line that keeps you connected constantly at the heart. You may not have talked for months, but, when you do, no time has passed. You might have forgotten to send them a birthday card, moreover, forgotten their birthday altogether, but, to them, you were very much there in spirit. Oh, and, when they have had any type of success in life from matching all the socks in their last load of laundry to kicking some atrocious form of cancer right in the can, you too share in those successes. It’s a pretty darn beautiful thing. And, if you have it, which you probably do, it’s something to be grateful for.

In the last month or so, I’ve been forced to look at some of the things I take on. Like the kid in class that raises their hand first every time the teacher asks a question, I’m the first to extend myself to anything that requires any type of commitment on my end. And, while it feels great in the moment to say YES, YES, YES to everything, it’s just not possible to stay healthy mentally and physically when you stretch yourself so darn thin. And, oddly enough, it’s these heart to heart connections that remind me that all the YES, YES, YES is really not required. What is required is that we take good care of ourselves so that when the time comes for us to share time and space with those heart connections, we can be in that moment with them talking, laughing, encouraging, being encouraged, plain and simply being friends.

A feeling of pure joy and gratitude washes over me as I type. I’m thankful deep in my soul for those heart connections that love and serve me so well. And, I truly endeavor to take better care of myself so that I can reciprocate with unrelenting fervor for my beloved friends. They deserve that and much, much more. So, here’s to our heartstrings- those friends that always make our hearts sing!

Stay Divine,

JL PARISH