Where Have Your Friends Gone?
You are able to tell how your friends really feel about you from the Emails they send. Mike’s Emails always give me a sense of caring and make me feel that I am someone important in his life (only next to his girlfriend, of course!). His words are always so encouraging and comforting. I like that feeling, knowing someone out there truly cares about me. That is what true friendship is all about.
Michael and I used to work at the same radio station in Taiwan. He returned to the States a few years ago and we have kept in touch despite our tendency to move around the world whenever we feel like it.
This is what I like about Mike. He always keeps me posted on what is going on in his life and his part of the world wherever it might be. Though we live thousands of miles away from each other, we remain close friends. We make a point to visit each other when we are in the other person’s “turf.” For instance, once I went to visit my sister in Baltimore and drove 45 minutes to see him in D.C. He was in Taiwan recently for the Presidential election and the inauguration. We met up both times when he was in town.
Is it just me or as we get older, we seem to lose friends left and right? And I am not just talking about friends who disappeared after getting hitched (maybe their better half forbids them from going out with old friends). We, as the proud single individuals, sort of feel as if we are left behind, wondering “Where have my friends gone?” I like to think that they’ve gone to their controlling spouses and crying babies! Just think it that way, you’ll feel better about being single!
Throughout my life, I have so-called close friends in different periods. Some have come and gone. I have no ideas where they are now. The ones remaining close to me have seen my best and my worst, my ups and downs. They are the ones I will be calling when I’m 60 and we can talk about the good old days!
When I was younger, I thought it was a natural course to see friends coming and going. I was always meeting new friends and they would quickly fill the vacancy before I realized I had just lost a friend due to lack of contacts or whatever reason it may be. As I get older, it has become increasingly difficult to meet people who click with me and keep in touch with the ones I do like.
Nonetheless, I am truly lucky to have a circle of friends who love me for me and accept me for who I am. It is beyond just bonding. It is gratifying to be able to have heart-to-heart intense conversations with them. They listen when I vent. They offer advice when I feel confused. They lift me up when I feel down. They cuss with me when my relationship stinks again. I always place more importance in my friends than boyfriends. Simply it’s because friends are forever - I can always get a new boy toy (a.k.a.boyfriend) but a good friend is hard to find!
Therefore, if you are one of my friends and you are reading this, you should know that you’d have me as your friend for life. I am a believer! I am an optimist. Remember: Friends forever!
Michael Kitchen in Afghanistan for VOA (he's the one holding an AK-47).
Greetings from Islamabad, Pakistan!
Mike accepted a job offer from VOA (Voice of America) to station in Pakistan last year. It’s not exactly the safest place to be working. I’m always happy to hear from him. It’s an assurance that he’s still well and in one piece. Even though there is not much to do in Pakistan, he said, “The money is great.”
Last month he had the chance to interview the president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai. He had to get on an U.N. charter flight form Islamabad to Kabul. He’s the only person I know who’s been on a flight chartered by the U.N.
Here’s a picture from Mike - he’s the one holding the AK-47. He’s in Parwan province with a couple of Afghan soldiers. While his colleague was busy asking directions for an army ceremony they were supposed to attend. One of the guys in the photo (the one with a beard and is barely visible because he's hiding behind the other guy) insisted that Mike should hold his AK-47. Apparently, it’s part of Afghan hospitality!
