In Bloom | Returning to Friendships that Sustain Us

"Close your eyes

My friend sits next to me, curled up on my back deck sofa:

"Open your hand—"

I feel a tickle

Then another

I gently wrap my fingers over these tiny, fragile-feeling objects, a little sharp at the edges.

I open my eyes: two tiny, sungold seashells.

Last weekend, she stood at the edge of the ocean, saw these shells, and thought of me.

Then, she went a step further: tucked them into her pocket, carried them home, and placed them in my hand.

It's a small gesture, one I keep returning to: imagining her walking the beach, reaching down, sifting through shells and stones, and choosing these two.

Two small gold shells that now sit on my counter, part of a collection of stones, fruit, flowers, and feathers.

I head outside for my morning walk, noticing what else is coming up: magnolias in full bloom, weeping cherries offering their blossoms in a kind of floral rain with each passing breeze.

I think of my friends—the friendships I return to, again and again, because they feel easy, soulful, and fun.

I miss them.

In these years of raising kids, many of these connections have gone a little quiet.

Moves, three children, competing needs,

work, illness, injuries

—life!

0:00

/0:15

Invite three slow breaths in this Magnolia Meditation | 15 sec

I feel the fullness of my life.

I see the trees bursting, and what's coming up for me is this:

How will I make time to tend my friendships?

The ones that fill me up?

The ones I want to return to.

I stop my walk.

I text my friend: When can we talk?

She lives a country away.

I send a voice note to another, a coast away. She can listen on her own time, between drop-offs and deadlines.

I get home, pull out my stationery, write my mom a letter and place it by the door to drop in the mailbox on my next walkabout.

Then—

I receive this text from a friend in town: "We’re having a sweet magnolia celebration with magnolia-infused drinks this Saturday! Very casual. Bring your beautiful vibes and come gather under the tree."

I'm all in!