After reading “The Power of Friendship” story, I began thinking about the friendships in my life, past and present. For some reason, I found myself reminiscing about old friends with whom I once shared every day yet no longer see or hear from.

Of course, my first reaction was one of melancholy and thinking, “I wonder where so and so is today?” Upon further inspection, I realized that I’m no longer close to many of my old friends due to lack of commonality. We grow, we change, we enter new phases of life and once cherished friends become distant fond memories.

As clichéd as it may sound, the fact is people often do grow apart. I don’t think it’s due to any ill intent or purposeful shunning by one or more of the parties involved. It just happens when we navigate and experience life.

I noticed that the percentage of people I am no longer close to or in touch with has slowly decreased with age. In other words, as my personal growth has slowed, so has the frequency with which I’ve lost or gained new friends. I attribute this to the fact that, as I age, I learn. I learn about myself. Which means my desire for new interests, hobbies and ventures has slowed considerably. So, my active friendships are primarily people I see regularly. I converse with them daily in most cases.

As people, I believe we need to grow, experience and allow the eternal flux of life to touch us all, every chance we get. While we’re on that journey, I think we get to share our path with others who, for maybe a brief amount of time, are on a similar one. But, if the time comes when their paths diverge from our own, it’s OK. I think letting them go their own way gracefully, as we do the same, is what a true friend does.

For my past friendships, I will always hold a fondness. If the day ever comes when we are fortunate enough to once again cross paths, then I will welcome that with open arms. However, if that day never surfaces, then good luck, my friends. I’m glad you’re on your own path and thank you for making mine just that much easier for the time we walked together.

Pat Vacanti, co-publisher