Yes’m, old friends is always best, ‘less you can catch a new one that’s fit to make an old one out of. ― Sarah Orne Jewett
Friendships change as we change, and friends often drift apart. We form our initial friendships based on proximity – the playmate next door. As we grow into adolescence, our friends are chosen based on shared attitudes, values, beliefs, interests and activities. When we reach adulthood, it is compatible lifestyles such as families, neighborhoods, and workplaces. Once we move into retirement, friendships change again – some endure, people move away or pass on. It can run the gamut from new and exciting to sad and painful. By being aware of the potential for change, and periodically reassessing, we can be prepared for the endings and still be grateful for the friendship that was.