Linda Hall: Friendships worth nurturing

Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today.

The past two Saturdays I've had lunch with friends.

People I've met through work. I don't work with them anymore and we go months without seeing each other but when we do get together it's like we've never been apart. We relax, we laugh and, of course, we talk.

It's never easy to arrange these meetings. We all lead busy lives and our weekends are precious.

I know I'm guilty of putting them off because I have this or that to do. But sometimes friends are just what you need.

As we go through life, we meet all sorts of people. You meet your first friends through your parents and then kindy and school. If you're lucky one or two of these friends will be people you see all through your life,

During your teens, friends are more important than family. Teenagers' lives revolve around their friends and there is nothing wrong with that.

They need each other to talk to about how their parents don't understand them.

Then it's into the workforce we go and we meet more and more people.

Sometimes when you meet someone you know instantly that this is someone you could be friends with. Something clicks as you both start talking about things that interest you and, hey presto, the next thing you know you've arranged to go out for a coffee or a drink.

Some of these people will eventually fade out of your life as they relocate, get married, have children, take up new hobbies or you or they simply don't have the time or inclination to keep up the friendship.

Friendships, just like a marriage, need grooming and attention. I bet every one of us has met someone we think could have been a friend but after issuing several invitations with no response we eventually give up. I have loads of acquaintances but only a very few who I consider close friends.

You know the sort I mean. People you can say absolutely anything to without having to say "don't repeat that" because you trust them completely. People you can call on for help and you know they will be there in minutes.

I've enjoyed myself so much these past two weekends I'm going to make sure I make more time for friends.

I had a mammogram on Friday at Royston Hospital. These things are not pleasant but the staff are wonderful, chatting away and explaining everything step by step. The hospital's state-of-the-art new machine ensures that it takes only minutes to complete the procedure. On Saturday, I talked with a woman who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer.

She doesn't know what lies ahead and said the uncertainty and waiting were what she was finding the hardest. She's a tough lady and I'm sure her family, friends and colleagues will be there to support her as she conquers cancer.

It's a timely reminder for all women, no matter your age, to check yourself at least once a month. Treatment for breast cancer has come a long way but the sooner it's caught, the better.