Friends who SHOW UP

What kinds of friends do I really want to hang on to in midlife and beyond? 

Those who show up.

In my experience, the single most important thing you can do as a friend is show up. When your friend in in a play or musical, show up. When she’s throwing a party, show up. When her brother dies, show up at the funeral. When she’s worried about one of her kids, stash the cell phone and really be present while she’s telling you about it.  When she needs to run away to a matinee movie or a walk on the boulevard,  go with her. Try and be the YES friend.   When my parents and Marcie died I’ll never forget the friends that  made the effort to come to the viewing or funeral...drop by food or a diet coke.  Those friends who go out of their way not only to visit, but to touch base via text, email or phone just to say hello — even when they are crazy busy — are the friends I want to hang on to.