Keeping in Touch

I'm realizing that I have to change the way I communicate with a large group of people. There are all sorts of people I see here and there -- we catch a movie, dinner, coffee, ice skating, braves game, whatever. But if I don't make an effort to stay in touch, even loosely, it's likely I'll lose whatever connection I had with these people. Connections have to be renewed or they go through the lengthy process of being rebuilt. (Much more expensive in emotional capital -- far better to just maintain friendships in the long run.)

I was looking through an old folder of personal e-mails and noticed that I use to send people e-mails all the time. I'd say hi, talk about my day, ask for advice, and generally keep in touch with a variety of people and friends that I'd made along the way. I'm hoping that as I move to Chicago I make all sorts of new friends and people to share my life with but that I keep the spirit of maintaining those old friendships. My mom is very sad that I'm leaving as the last of her children to leave the state but I reminded her that we can e-mail. She's on e-mail all day long at work and we can share stories from our lives or just say hi or anything. It doesn't replace phone conversations and visits but it can keep us primed and ready for those moments when we do (gratefully) get to be together in physical presence.

There's also regular, old-fashioned mail. I want to get back in that habit. At the height of my middle school fanaticism for pen pals I had over 100. I think I can manage to write a few pages to old friends once in a while.... Plus, who doesn't love getting mail?

Last nigh was an impromptu viewing of Up with Mike. I had no expectations so it was sort of difficult not to surpass them but I LOVED it. It was one of those movies that transforms me from whatever I am to happy. Small child that I normally am, it was nice to feel like a kid and just laugh and be happy for a night and not bogged down in the details of being an adult.