Ahhh Janaury. The time for new starts right? Does it count if it's a new start with an old friend?
I think it should. January is bringing a lot of new opportunities this way which was one of my goals for this year. But, like I hinted at before, the past is still in clear view. Today was a prime example. I texted a friend of mine and wished him a happy birthday this morning before leaving for an appointment. We used to talk every day, or every other day and sometimes for hours on end. We had a falling out in October and hadn't really reconnected or recovered. He apologized and I accepted yet I could never fully get past it. But we did talk a couple times during the holidays and when he texted me back after I wished him a happy birthday, I found out he didn't have any plans for his birthday and seeing that I was going to be near his neighborhood I asked if he wanted to go to lunch. He did and we had a great time catching up and he tried to pay even though it was his birthday, so I clearly wasn't having that.
I really wasn't sure what was going to happen in October when things exploded. I was ready at one point to let the friendship go but I realized a few things. We all mistakes; and I certainly make my fair share. Also, forgiveness doesn't excuse what one person did, rather it allows you to move on and give the other person that opportunity too. It doesn't mean we're back to the point we were before. We may never be. And that's ok too. But friendship is one of those grey areas in life. It's not an absolute, or an all or nothing black and white situation. At least with me. If we didn't give people second chances (or third), we're not only hurting them but ourselves. Some things you can't move past though and I fully understand that. But, as I have often pointed out, life is short. Too short to hold on to hurt and anger from the past and sometimes moving on doesn't mean leaving someone behind; instead it can mean a new start with an old friend. And for me, that's enough.
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