if at first you don't succeed...

Yep, try try again!

My mother claimed the quality she admired the most in my was an unflagging belief in the possible.  Maybe that is THE core quality I bring to hanging with older friends - my belief that everyone is blessed with a life we're meant to live to the full, the fullest life POSSIBLE, every moment.  Just as true now as when I was 44 or 24;  will be just as true when I am 84.

And I don't give up.  There is a special friend we haven't seen for a couple weeks - his schedule has gotten mired in doctors appointments & therapy sessions.  Things that are filling his time, not his energy levels.  Being busy is not the same as being bustling with life-uplifting energies.  

Instead of feeling downcast over our inability to connect, will make it as easy for everyone as possible.  Show the times John & I are available for a swing by, an outing, some in-home fun (anyone for binge-watching Fawlty Towers?).   

We understand that his family consider their time together as special, but they're all so busy busy busy, it seems they don't fully realize how much alone time he's experiencing.  And, sadly, older people are likely to get cranky & complain about things in general, but it is the rare elderly man or woman who is timely & specific in a complaint.  They're torn between hoping for something better & the fear of being considered a bother.  

So far, we have not succeeded in getting regular get-togethers with us on his calendar.  It would be easy to turn our attentions elsewhere, to fill up those available times.  But he matters to us, they matter to us.  

Which brings us back to, "If at first you don't succeed..."  We'll be tenacious & try try again!