“Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning usefulness in which mankind agreed.” – Cicero
Friendship! What does that word mean? Does it mean you have 574 “friends” on Facebook? But do you actually know them personally? For most of us the answer would be no – not all of them!
Or does it mean having close relationships with several close friends you’ve known for many years? I’ve been blessed with several close friends, some for 20 or 30 years and some for shorter periods of time, but valued as close friends nonetheless. For some of us, that’s a major achievement.
We’ve wined and dined together and been on trips as well. Books, movies and plays have been read and viewed. And criticized, I might add.
I’ve found that friendship is about sharing values, interests and having a deep respect for each other’s feelings and ambitions. It’s about celebrating one another’s successes and joys and sharing in the defeats and sorrows that we all experience as we move through this time allotted to each of us.
Sometimes we take our friends for granted and forget to tell them how important they are in our lives, and it is only when one of our friends pass on that we realize there is no replacing them and our lives will never be the same again.
So, in my last “epistle” of this year, I stress the importance of being in touch with friends. Sometimes we wish we had stayed in touch with friends from our youth more often than once or twice a year. And then we get that call to notify us that someone has suddenly passed away. We feel remorseful, but nothing can be done other than to remember those days when we were closer and had a special kinship. Alas, we cannot turn back the clock! Photos of our past friends kindle faded memories and we visit the surviving families to offer our condolences.
Cherishing the times we have with our friends is so very meaningful and important. We must appreciate the times when we can call a friend and share the day’s events, or a travel experience or in many cases, as with my wife, shopping experiences!
“Life is short – have dessert first,” actress Zsa Zsa Gabor once said. All of us should share events and occasions with our friends at every opportunity.
Friends, at times, are closer than our own families. Close family ties are most important, but some of us move away from home base and it becomes difficult to retain the closeness that we so lovingly desire.
This year, I hope to add some new friends to my wonderful close-knit group. But most importantly, I vow to let my friends know how important a role they play in my everyday life.
I will end with my sincere thoughts and wishes for you, my readers. I am truly grateful for the many emails I have received over this past decade and hope you will continue to offer your comments as I continue writing my As I see it from my desk.
I also encourage all readers to participate in your local or regional boards and become involved in making a difference in the industry.
Stan Albert, broker/manager, ABR, ASA at Re/Max Premier in Vaughan, Ont. can be reached for consultation at stanalb@rogers.com. Stan is now celebrating 42 years as an active real estate professional.
Stan Albert, ABR, ASA is a consultant with Re/Max Premier in Vaughan, Ont. He can be reached for consultation by email. Stan is now celebrating his 45th year as an active real estate professional.
