Friends of a Lifetime

If you were to sit down right now and make a list of names of all of your friends, how many would they total? Ten? Fifty? One hundred? How about 150?

I know. You're probably thinking, "One hundred fifty? Me?" Well, not so fast! It's easier than you think - especially when you live in a small town! Us small town folk are friendly people!

Recently I read an interesting article, so I thought I'd share. It really got me thinking about MY friends and the VALUE those friendships give me. Have you ever heard of the "Dunbar Number"? Robin Dunbar is a psychologist whose studies came to the conclusion that the answer to that friendship question is 150 - 150 friends. Supposedly 150 is the number of individuals that any one person can maintain a friendship with. Wow! Now some people may disagree with that, especially in this day and age of social media, but listen to this. Evidently, years ago the average hunting tribe was 148 people, today's average wedding includes 144 guests, medieval English village populations totalled 150 people, and the list goes on. See the pattern? It's engraved in us - 150 friends!

So what value is placed on those friendships? Well we all know some friendships are stronger than others, but a friend is a friend! After over a year of masking and social distancing, my heart aches for my friends!!!!! And you know who you are! Get ready sistas, cuz this gal is totally vaccinated and ready for girls' nite out, a shopping run away,or any female gathering that includes good conversation and laughter!! Woohoo! All 150 of you - it's party on!!

So friendships are important! You can't tell me any different! And by golly, don't get sick on me, because believe it or not, your friendship is critical to my health! A recent study was made of 300,000 hospital patients. They were asked a variety of questions - how much they drank, what they ate, how much they exercised, their environment, etc. Some time later, their answers were calculated - specifically for those who had since expired. Any idea what the deceased had most in common? 1) Infrequency of social support and 2) lack of participation in their communities. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! Friendship and volunteerism can keep you from an early grave!

So, in closing.
Dear Friends-
Have I told you lately that I love you? You mean more to me than a plate of nachos, a pitcher of margueritas, and downward facing dog. You have been so missed!
Here's to us catching up at a location near you! Soon!
P.S. Nachos and margueritas may be included!!