Take Good Care Of Your Friendships
In the Berkshire Hathaway annual report that was released this morning, Warren Buffett pays tribute to his longtime business partner, Charlie Munger, who passed away this past November. He likened Munger to both an older brother and loving father. Theirs was a remarkable friendship which began in 1959, the year they met.
I’m fortunate to have a small circle of good friends. We get together regularly for meals. My sense is that having friends might be in decline. Lots of counseling patients present in my office saying they don’t have any real friends. We know that a feeling of being connected helps us live longer and be healthier.
When my Dad was in his late 80s, he wistfully observed, “My contemporaries are dropping like flies.” He had some younger friends and was sustained by them. Some gallows humor is in evidence these days. I told one of my friends that I’d meet him for breakfast next week. His response: “If I’m still alive” (I’ve read that some dark humor is a sign of health.)
Be good to your friends. Time passes quickly.