Friendship Memory Triggers
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value;rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” C.S. Lewis
Everyone know the countless ways families leave an imprint on your style and habits. Many of my blogs detail how my parents and siblings shaped me, but friends leave some pretty deep marks too. The difference is those friends from our past usually aren't around for us to make the connection. In fact, many days the imprints have become so second nature, it's tough to remember their origin.
I mean, OF COURSE when I'm driving I double check over my shoulder before changing lanes, but isn't that a Driver's Ed thing?
Nope.
My best friend Lisa harped on this habit with me because she had some sort of close scare in her car. Lisa drove a yellow Diesel Rabbit with a sunroof thankyouverymuch and she had her license 4 MONTHS before me, so I listened to her instructions like they were gospel.
You shouldn't ignore the wisdom of your elders.
I think of Lisa almost daily when I change lanes.
I have similar stories for a myriad of routine habits:
When I debate between chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies (not much of a debate really, oatmeal wins), I think of Jennifer. Curling my eyelashes - Shanah. Proclaiming "I love bed" when I tuck in for the night - Kady. When I say "fascinating," I think of Bobbi. When I climb into a tall vehicle butt first and then "swing my legs around" - it's a different Lisa.Straightening my pants out neatly between the washer and dryer - Christine.
I can't even begin to list all of the ways my work friends have made an impact from how I answer my phone (Maggie) to spreadsheet creation (Alison) to ....
Trust me, the list is extensive (and probably only matters to me), but I'm wondering if others of you play this mental "linkage" game.
Are there things you do today that you can trace back to specific friends? Do you have fun playing back those memories?