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Heartfelt Dinner and magic was served here.

Connection

good friends are like stars

you don't always see them
but you know

they are always there

by Karen Coney Coplin
ecently, I gathered with three friends We also shared stories about our quest to purge and another's
over dinner. We had not met up in equally passionate quest to liberate with both speaking of the
R person for a very long time, well before same topic: decluttering.
the pandemic. I'd like to think I speak for all of us, those at the table that
Upon reflection, we realized some of us may night and those reading this now, in saying we need to explore
have met up separately over the years, but it more fully, and appreciate more deeply, true connections among
might have easily been a decade since we all our friends and family and our fellow human beings.
sat down together. By anyone's conservative While I can't point to a specific reason, magic, along with
estimate (or our faulty memories), collectively, we had over 130 dinner, was served in generous proportions that evening. Caring
years of friendship gathered at that table. words and deeply intentional listening was so very much a part
As is comfortingly the case, time and distance melted away of that night. As our conversation flowed, so did a lot of laughter
as we caught up on all manner of things, which included stories and even some tears.
of our children on the cusp of adulthood, aging parents and pets, I mentioned this dinner to another friend who recalled that
the latest mass shooting (sadly enough, I can't even readily recall she remains regularly in touch with three dear friends. We
which one this was), and, because we are all approaching a certain contrasted that with the comment that I hadn't seen one of the
age, aches and pains and sometimes illnesses which confound us. guests at dinner in many years and was gratified that we could
Additionally, like so many in Southwest Florida, one friend pick up so easily where we left off.
was hit hard by Hurricane Ian, and we listened to her recount We agreed that it was a gift. So much like each day - each
the latest on her family's wearying journey through demolition moment - the present. Nothing more is promised nor guaranteed.
and reconstruction, exhaustion and probably more than anyone's Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that every day you
fair share of red tape. Her silver lining after the storm struck was should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug,
hearing from so many friends and family who called to express or just a friendly pat in the back. I've learned that I still have a lot
concern and offer assistance. to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people
Of course, our conversation was interspersed with more will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you
lighthearted topics: admiring comments about one friend's made them feel."
vintage handbag recently purchased online; upcoming travel plans Even if you can't literally touch someone today, you can reach
and even details of one friend's future wedding plans. out directly, and let them know how and why they matter to you.
This was a second wedding and we all remembered wedding Not only will it do a world of good for them, it will do the
planning - far more stress than we bargained for, especially same for you.
considering three of the four "first" weddings at the table And maybe, just maybe, it will do good for the world.
ended in divorce!

Email Karen at NaplesKCC@gmail.com or join in with her life in Naples adventures.

Give her a follow @Naplesbythenumbers on Instagram.

46 Life in Naples | April 2023