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Time to reunite with friends
For over 30 years, the first Saturday evening of every month was reserved for our card group. We are a group of eight couples who have lived and shared our lives together since our group started in 1990. We remember each other’s birthdays and give comfort to each other when there is a loss of a parent or loved one, and we are there for weddings and funerals. When the pandemic hit, these monthly gatherings stopped, and gradually we began to lose touch with one another. I am happy to say that our monthly card group events are resuming next month after the 2-year pause.
Many people I talk to have had disruptions in their friendships and families during this two-year trial. Now I notice people starting to come back together. As we all resume the lifestyle we put on hold, may I suggest a word of caution: Take it slow. Many people have been greatly affected by COVID, while others don’t pay much mind to it. What can we do to make sure our “reunion” can be smooth and enjoyable? Well, the old rules apply: Show genuine interest in others and what is going on in their lives. Go beyond the generic topics of sports and the weather. And we need to keep in mind the warning labels: Avoid talking about politics and religion. Diving in to these topics can get messy and quickly make a nice conversation turn ugly. Now I am going to suggest a new warning topic: COVID! This is a topic that we have seen divide families and affect schools. People have developed strong beliefs about face coverings, mandates, and social distancing. If you dive into these subjects, it is unlikely that you will change someone’s mind, and you will run the risk of weakening the relationships.
Personally, I have had very few conversations regarding the virus. My coaching clients rarely bring it up unless it relates to a problem we are working on. My family doesn’t talk about it. They are having too much fun being new parents, and don’t want to take energy from the conversation.
Last week my wife was re-connecting with an old friend, and the first question she asked was, “Have you gotten the vaccine?…How about the booster?”. “When did you get it?” If you want to ask me such a question, I will reply “I’ll forgive you for asking if you forgive me for not answering”. All that said, May your renewed relationships blossom!