Life In Transition

Do you ever feel friendships are like taking a ride on an elevator? We go in, we come out. Some journeys are long, others short. Some of us journey together, some alight first, some linger. Some choose not to get on. Sometimes, we even find ourselves travelling alone... There are times we go up, then other times we head down. When there are glitches we instinctively (?) hit the 'alarm' button. And all the while, we have choices.

I've been thinking about the phrase 'people come, people go' alot lately.

Perhaps it's the recent slew of departures that's made me ponder about the transcient nature of friendships both here, and in SGP.

Us with Reubs on his last day in London (2 June)

Chor chan (ex-SONY), during her 1 week stay with us

Through the years, I've certainly had my share of people come in and out of my life. Some have decided they like me enough to stay the long haul. Others have made pit stops, and in a flash, they're gone.

I've been in London for 11 months but save for a fistful, the other friendships have turned out to be short-lived. Sure, we've had chats, we've exchanged numbers, we've even met up for playdates or coffee sessions. But all too soon, many return to their home country, move away, or simply 'disappear'. I suppose some knew before I did that they were my 'transitional people'. And sadly in the UK, I am not short of them.

Perhaps that's the way it's meant to be. Afterall, I'm only in the UK for 24 mths. What am I expecting? To be lifelong penpals with some of the people I've met here, after I return to my life in SGP? What am I, 12?

Perhaps these people are aware I'm here for a short stint and thus friendships will not go further than a smile every time we meet, exchanging niceties, and a playdate or two. Afterall, what's the point of deepening a friendship with someone who's going to leave anyway?

Does this make me their transitional person then? Am I a temporary 'filler' who's good to have but not worth investing time and effort on? Perhaps I'm the 'intermission' before they move onto something else, someplace else, or someone else in their lives.

Whatever the scenario, these transitional folk have done little to assuage my desire for deeper friendships...

I can choose to bemoan the ephemeral nature of friendships here. But I won't. Deep in the recesses of my mind, I know these deciduous people were placed in my life for a reason. Some have left positive marks in my life, and for that, I'm grateful to God they stopped by, however fleetingly.

Next year, Dee, Danielle and I join the ranks of those who have gone before us, where our faces will fade out of existence in London. But while we're still 'in transit', I'd like us to leave footprints over the lives of our friends here. I hope they'll remember us fondly, as we will of them.