life lesson

My parents always had a lot of friends.

As a little girl, I remember the many parties my parents hosted in our finished basement.  And if my parents' friends weren't at our house on a Saturday night, my parents were out somewhere with them.

My mom still has many friends. She is forever busy with the girls from bridge, Mah Jong, walking, the Cape, Brockton, and even her childhood.

Maybe it's genetic, but my sisters and I have all been lucky too. We are all fortunate to have many good friends. Sometimes I think, I have enough. I need a man in my life, not more girlfriends.

So when someone I work with wants to get together, I'm not that enthused. Not because I don't like her, but because I feel spread thin as it is. How did I ever do it when I was working full-time and Alexander was a toddler? But that was all before the internet and cell phones. I think I had more time then — before I was reachable any time, any place. Before I had to check-in, fearful of missing any life-altering text or email.

So today we meet for coffee. I live uptown and she lives downtown, but she agrees to meet in my neighborhood. She is immensely likable and our conversation flows effortlessly.

Without trying, she teaches me something important. Life is never so full that there isn't room for another good person to enter it.