I started the conversation years ago, really. I mentioned off and on again, oh-so-casually that oftentimes as you go through middle school and high school friends drift apart as they find themselves growing into different people.
It is easier to begin that conversation than to watch the truth of it unfold.
They haven't had a fight, they just don't talk much anymore.
They haven't wanted to get together---no mention of sleepovers or shopping or movies in a while.
Their paths have just begun to diverge.
One is quiet & bookish, into her fandoms and her shows.
Mine? Not so much.
Mine is the ultimate extrovert. Naturally loud. Loves music, shopping, make-up, & her phone.
Honestly, I think I am having a harder time with this than either of the girls, although I catch a twinge of sadness in daughter-the-eldest's voice when I ask about her besties-since-pre-K, birthday twin. It is difficult to know that there is no going around this experience--one must simply go through it--there is no other option. Sometimes that's just the way of things.
"She will always be important to me. We will always be friends, we just aren't really best friends anymore, Mom," I'm told.
"No, we haven't really talked about it, but we both know. She has someone really nice she talks with all the time, now. They have a lot in common," she says.
I mourn the loss; they are each other's childhood.
This month I will participate in the Slice of Life Challenge!
My goal is to Write. Share. Give. each & every day of March.
Check out Two Writing Teachers for more info!
I can relate to this piece! I loved that last line so much.
ReplyDeletethank you.
DeleteThat's so hard to watch. I remember growing apart from my best friend from across the street then from my best friend in junior high.
ReplyDeleteone of the hardest things, for sure.
DeleteMy daughter, 31 now, grew up with a pair of twins from birth (they are 3 weeks apart in birthdays.) they grew apart in high school but now that one of them is back in Seattle, they have reconnected, enjoying that they know each other so well but appreciating their differences.
ReplyDeleteI love this. Here's to life-long friendships!
DeleteThat is such a difficult time in growing up. It is even more difficult to watch a daughter go through it.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely heart-wrenching.
DeleteI remember this time vividly. I went through this three times between elementary and high school and I suspect my mom felt the same as you. Your line captured that feeling so well. I'm just coming into that time with my own children and I suspect it won't be long before my daughter's friends begin to change. My hubby and I have actually just started talking about it ourselves.
ReplyDeleteSo hard and captured so beautifully and poignantly here. That final line is perfection.
ReplyDeleteGoood blog post
ReplyDelete