101 Ways to Move Forward After a Midlife Divorce

Tip # 64. Catch up with an old friend. When I was going through my divorce, I remember early on calling my best friend from junior high and high school. We hadn’t seen each other in years. We hadn’t even talked on the phone much, but we did keep up with Christmas cards. Out of the blue, I called her and said, “I need to see you. I’m flying there day after tomorrow if it’s okay.” There was no discussion. She was working two jobs at the time, but she said without hesitation, “Sure!” She basically let me come to her house and totally get away from everything I was facing in my hometown. I think I got dressed those three or four days I was there, but I'm not sure. Mostly I talked and cried. She went to work as usual; left me food and drink. I looked through her books, prayed, slept, lay out in her back yard which happened to back up to a golf course, and then did nothing but cry and talk when she was home. It was an invaluable time of release and regrouping. I didn’t have to pretend I was okay. I could vent as much as I wanted. After that time, I sort of heaved a big sigh, dried my eyes for a while and had a renewed sense that I could get through this. That was eight years ago. My friend is in town this weekend for a reunion. She’s in our spare bedroom sleeping right this minute, and she is just as refreshing and encouraging as ever. I hope you have a friend like that. Call her, today. (And when you get through this, be that friend to someone else.)