Take some time to reach out to old friends, family

You know, it was really my fault. Sure I could come up with all kinds of excuses -- we'd all moved to different parts of the country, there had been grad school, military service, jobs, houses, kids, and so many other demands.

But those were just excuses. The fact was I just hadn't taken the time to stay in touch. As we sat around, together again after more than 30 years, I realized how much I'd missed.

What we'd shared! Some of us had been friends in high school, while the rest of us were thrown together in the first weeks of college. We'd become traveling companions through four years of tumult and turmoil.

Our lives together had included peace protests, civil rights marches and the largest mass "streak" in the country. Okay, we hadn't participated in all those, but at least we were there.

We'd shared dorm rooms, apartments, classes, jobs, cars and motorcycles. We'd watch each other fall in and out of and in love more than a few times, and stood up at each other's weddings.

And we'd all gone off in different directions to find our way in the world -- teaching, the military, ministry, law, homemaking, and a lot of parenting.

This was not some "Big Chill" moment. Sure we'd all had some ups and downs, but no traumatic event brought us back together, no great insights and personal transformations took place, no life-changing decisions were made.

We were simply a bunch of old friends who were just enjoying being old friends.

This is the second time in recent years that I've realized how important keeping in touch is. A few years ago, an uncle resurrected the Potts family reunion and brought about 40 or so of us together.

It had been decades since that had happened. Yet it took only a matter of minutes for long-lost first and second cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews to pick up where we'd all left off.

Now, maybe it's because I'm getting on in years, but I'm coming to cherish these old friendships and family ties like never before.

So much of what seemed valuable in life -- success, wealth, power, prestige -- has proven to be so intangible, so temporary, so unfulfilling. Having people who love and care about me like my old friends and family do seems more and more like the one gift that retains its value with each passing year.

Whether it's been a few months, or a few decades, I encourage you to reach out to the friends and family members you've lost touch with. Spend a few minutes in a phone call, write a note, schedule a short visit, whatever. Don't put it off. It could well be one of the most satisfying and rewarding things you'll ever do.