Keep In Touch: By Michael Ginsburg

A note from the editor:

For the first time in the history of this blog and my short writing career I’m going to admit that someone nailed the nostalgia post better than I have.  Yes, it’s the millionth time you’re reading about the longing for the past that us young adults continue to feel as we grow up, but Michael (a regular contributor now it seems), really brings up a good point here.  Enjoy.

There probably could not have been a better surprise than the phone call I received late last Tuesday night. I had just finished my weekly 3-hour class and Jake was calling me to tell me that he had decided to book a flight back to Baltimore at the last minute. Before, I was looking forward to coming home for my birthday over fall break, but only a handful of my friends were going to be home, and now my weekend would surely be a little more exciting.

While we were only home for about five days, we made the most out of the time we had back in Pikesville. We did everything we wanted, ate everywhere we wanted, and even ventured on a brief road trip. It was just like we never left. Every morning he’d outsleep me per usual, but I’d call and wake him up anyway. After all, running on just a couple hours of sleep for one weekend never killed anyone.

Whether it was deciding on where to eat lunch or just our casual banter on the drive south down I-95, we found ourselves arguing just like old times. It was reminiscent of our daily car rides to the Park School, even though those days were almost two years ago.   We were back in action, just like Kornheiser and Wilbon. Interestingly enough, sometimes it’s the trivial quarrels, not the memorable events that define a friendship.  Those everyday conversations and communications that friends take for granted when they see each other regularly are easily forgotten.

Amidst all the crazy shenanigans we did over the last five days, our final conversation before he hopped out of my Ford Explorer Tuesday morning will stick with me more than anything else. We sat in my car before we parted ways for the airport, and as always, we got nostalgic. We reminisced on upper, middle and even lower school memories. Whether it was shoveling driveways on snow days, playing sports together, or even just talking about stuff that happened in high school, everything was covered. The song changed and he relented that after this one he’d finally have to step inside the house and pack up his bag, but for some reason we just remained in the car.

The coolest thing we decided is that no matter how far apart, or how little we talk at times simply does not matter. He told me how weird it is that he just doesn’t keep in touch with some people he used to, and now they aren’t a part of his life. But sometimes, most times, there’s an exception to the rule. It wouldn’t matter if we didn’t talk for weeks or even months; right when we’d see each other, everything would be normal.

As I write this sitting on the plane back to New Orleans, I think about how many people I spoke to in high school, or even this past summer that I’ve simply lost touch with. I wonder if I saw them tomorrow, would it be like we never lost contact? I think, just based on experience, that if you can see someone after an extended period without speaking and have it be like nothing happened, they are someone you might want to consider keeping in your life.

To use Jake’s classic line, I implore you to call up someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Say something if you need to—take a step to diminish the bad blood, bitter feelings, or inexcusable lack of communication. I guarantee you that some words, any words, are always better than none. Never leave something on bad terms; you never know if it’s the last time you’ll ever see that friend that you haven’t talked to because of one stupid argument two years in the past. Try it out, and make someone’s day; I’m more than confident it’ll make yours too.