This evening I received a text message. Most people receive hundreds of text messages daily, so this isn’t anything earth shattering or out of the ordinary.
And receiving a text from this person wasn’t anything strange either.
The last of three succinct messages was a charming Bitmoji with creepily realistic features, telling me “I love you.” To the top was the link to a podcast Terrible, Thanks For Asking—“Best Friends Forever.” Scrunched in-between was a more brief, less creative “love you.”
Now why am I receiving random podcasts links and cryptic I love you texts, you ask?…well because my best friend loves podcasts, and sometimes shares them with me.
This podcast conveniently made sense this time and I was intrigued. Quickly texting her back before my car ride back to my apartment “Totally going to listen to this as I make my lunch!” Then a bitmoji of myself sending love back (and commenting on her creepily realistic bitmoji that looks just like her!).
I settle in, finishing up some dishes and clicking play. Nora McInerny sassy voice fills my dining room introducing me to Jayna—a pig farmer residing in Seattle. Jayna shares with us her whirlwind friendship with Michele and Michele sounds amazing! She bikes through Korea, travels alone in Australia, and lives her life to the fullest. She is the best friend everyone wants to model their best friend after.
Sadly, what I begin to realize about this podcast is the heartbreak it delivers. Nora is encouraging me to call up my best friend right now, or at least text them to let them know how much I love them and can’t imagine life without them. At this point, it hits me like a ton of bricks!
Michele dies.
I instantly curse my best friend in my head for sending me this awful podcast. But my heartbreak also shifts back to Jayna, and how she lost her best friend to a stroke. Her perfectly healthy, world traveling, best friend…gone in the blink of an eye.
I am not one to typically overthink these things. I often swallow the lump in my throat, or fight back my tears when something sad slips into view. Not a recommended choice for coping, but one that is currently “working” in my life. I also begin to think of worldly news…how people have lost loved one’s in wars, catastrophic natural disasters, and most recently heinous acts of gun violence on civilians enjoying a concert. All of the best friends lost in those moments…
We often don’t take the time to recognize loved ones until life forces us to. We may do it in passing, on birthdays, or on our way out the door…but those moments come as second nature and we don’t typically relish in them.
It is important to make time to enjoy smaller moments of laughter, hugs, or chats with loved ones. Something as simple as a text saying “hello!” or a quick FaceTime on the way to work reminds loved ones how much they mean to you, and that even though the moment is brief, it is important. I know after this podcast, I will be reaching out to my people more often, just because I want to let them know that I miss them and love them, and am always thinking of them.
