Maybe it’s because I’m getting old. Or maybe it’s my obsessive personality and dislike of loose ends. Whatever the reason, recently I’ve been working to repair some fractured personal relationships. It began 2-3 years ago with an uncle I hadn’t spoken with for decades. I reached out to him. (Unusual terminology: ‘reached out’. I first encountered it on NYPD Blue.) Then a month ago I phoned a former friend in the US. I was nervous, and I began by offering him the chance to hang up immediately. He declined, and we chatted for 30 minutes. It was a start. Then last Saturday, Sweetheart Vivienne and I had brunch with our erstwhile best friends – for almost 30 years, until around a decade ago. This time the reaching out was mutual. Again I was apprehensive. In the event, I doubt it could have gone better. In all three cases it’s unlikely the relationships will return to what they were. I’m a different person now, and I don’t want them to. I think it’s difficult to change the nature of a relationship. And the closer the relationship, the greater the difficulty. But it’s not impossible. I’m optimistic. And pleased. I’ve no doubt it’s better for all concerned to talk, than…whatever the alternative is. Okay then. But I have this cousin with whom I’ve had no communication for many months…
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