Thank goodness for friends that come into our life and become like family to us. In my growing up years as an only child, I turned to cousins and friends of all ages for support, encouragement and listening ears. With my mom as a widow, I needed male role models in my life. My grandfather stepped in and gave me the hugs, attention and time needed until we moved away. Then, a special grandmother became my friend, babysitter and role model while my mom worked.
Close friends can be like family. As I look back, I remember playing with a gang of little kids in my pre-elementary school years. It didn’t matter their age or gender. We were buddies. gathered together for fun and adventure. When I moved to my maternal grandmother’s home with my mom after my dad’s death, I had two male cousins that were like brothers to me. We played together, and walked to grade school together. I even shared a classroom with my cousin Bill who was my same age. Our mothers were sisters, and our grandma was babysitter to us all. Other female cousins became my life-long friends.
Do you talk to your grandchildren or nieces and nephews about your childhood friends? Everyone could use a family member or friend who cares. Being free from the day to day pressures of child raising could free up those of us in our golden years to share with our posterity or extended family members values needed for personal survival and fulfillment. Young ones cherish time spent with loving family members that show an interest in their lives. I can still remember with fondness talking with my grandparents and sharing my experiences with them.