About a week ago a long-time friend in her 80s from the town we used to live left a message to ring her back.

Well life was busy and each time I remembered to call it was too late or too early to ring. Then yesterday we had  a call from a friend to tell us she died. She had not been in the best of health but I felt full of regrets.

Grief is hard but when full of regret it is most painful.

I then recalled all the times we shared when she was my neighbour. I helped her when she was ill and she put me as her next of kin ahead of her children. I know we shared a special friendship and I was privileged to be her friend and enjoy her creativity and eccentricity.

How many times do we say:

I will ring tomorrow.

I will visit soon.

I will invite people to tea one day.

I will email tomorrow.

But tomorrow, soon, one day etc, does not always come.

Most of the time we do contact people later and nothing happens.

I know we are all busy but sometimes I think it is important to try slowing down and making time to connect to others.

Can you think of a time when you may have been putting off contacting family or friends? Or are you someone who always rings, emails or visits people as soon as you are asked.

How do you work out a balance between contacting others and coping with one’s own responsibilities?

Leah 

A Moodscope member