Sayings on the Cross: Relationships

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”  Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. -John 19:26-27, ESV

Gonna be a shorter one today because it's late and tomorrow is kind of the centerpiece of this series for me. There's still a lot to say though.

My specialty with relationships is burning bridges. I say that, because I'm pretty bad at keeping them alive with distance. It's not really true though. My real specialty is picking up where I left off as if no time has passed. The most clear example of this is when she reached out to me again. We spoke for like 9 hours straight. Just like old times, worse even. There's other examples though. Remembering a simple fact about a new missionary, bringing it up 6+ months later when we met again and hey we're still friends. Things like that. I may maintain relationships poorly, but I can resurrect them.

I really appreciated that Ballard's talk yesterday (as mentioned in the diary post). One thing he said was that relationship are one of the things that matter most in this life (and eternity). Which makes sense. All we can take with us into the next life is what's in our minds; relationships certainly qualify. I like that emphasized that when he talks about family relationships, he's not just talking about blood family, but really the relationships with all those around us, especially the close ones.

I speak with my family a lot more than I used to. Sure, I'm still fairly aloof but my freshman year I barely talked with any of them every, Maybe that year wouldn't have been quite so bad if I were more open. Nowadays, thanks to Covid and various missions and the like I'll even video call like once a month. That's peak communication for me. I'll visit home (if only because I have friends in DC and am looking for a place to stay).

I really should have never been so closed off. I don't know why I do this. Well I sort of do. It's similar to why I am so reticent to start (romantic) relationships. I don't want them to end (except on my terms) so it's better to just never start them. I have a nomadic but have long been sick of goodbyes. And so closed off I be. Oh, and I don't like feeling like I could possibly be imposing on others.

I'm really thankful that I do have friends, even close ones. I'm lonely but not too lonely. Mostly by choice. Even just here, I have friends in the ward and at the office. People to spend time with, to talk to. I have friends I keep in contact from university. I keep in touch with friends from DC (well a couple I keep in touch with better than others). It's nice. Relationships are a good thing. I should treat them better. 

And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy -D&C 130:2