This letter was written as an attempt to heal something internal. Todd is a good friend, and I worked with him for 5 years in an amazing work experience that forever changed me. When I was laid off, I had extremely mixed feelings. I tend to take things personally, and so it took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that me no longer being employed wasn't personal. I had friends and colleagues who felt my circumstances were unfair, but I understood the situation, and wouldn't believe that I had intentionally been taken advantage of in any way. I stand by this. I believe Todd is a good person, and that he does his very best with what he has. He and I had an excellent relationship, and I miss having him in my life.
Last year, he was able to take a job in a different part of the state so he and his family moved several hours away. This quickly felt like a nail in the coffin of our friendship to me as I began to feel as though I fell into the "out of sight out of mind" stereotype. Todd is a people person, but in a very different way than I am. I know him very well, and again, I struggled with not taking our lack of contact personally. I decided recently that I needed to simply let go of the struggling pieces I've been hanging on to, and focus on restoring the friendship. I don't think he feels it has suffered the way I do, but for me, it's important that I work to make it better so that I don't kill it with my own negativity.
The letter I sent him isn't much, it isn't an outpouring of the heart or a begging for attention. It's simple and includes an object I know he's been looking for, that ended up in my things when we parted ways. I hope it helps get us back in touch. I know things will never be like they were, both of our lives are so different now, but I do miss having him around to bounce ideas off of, or to run questions by, or to send that really offbeat photo or joke I come across that most people wouldn't get... we need another pool party... with umbrella drinks.
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