"Har Ik Friend Zaroori Hota Hai"

~ 95 weeks to my 'Tees' (30th)~

Had a lot of catch-ups this week. 

Met my school best friend, who had been married for a year, and she had successfully completed her PhD so we went over to her place with a little home-baked rich chocolate cake to celebrate over homely lunch. We wrapped up the rainy afternoon over chai and kachori - heart-warming as always. 

The same evening, we celebrated another friend's 30th birthday, with dinner and drinks at their abode, followed by clubbing until early morning. That was a fun night indeed.

A couple of days later, a childhood friend of mine and more, my younger brother's (with the same name) came home - he was in Singapore for a conference, from the US, where he's currently pursuing his Masters+PhD course. It was a nostalgic evening indeed and was surreal to just sit back and watch him play with the little one - when 20 years ago, they were the little ones!

Later that Friday, the gang celebrated another friend's birthday, over dinner, wine and fun conversation at the Club. Missed the husband, who was enjoying (a cousin's) wedding festivities at Kolkata. 

After the 30+hr ICU weekend call, I decided to host an impromptu Christmas party at home with our cousin-couple. So there was grilled chicken with asparagus, corn soup, garlic bread, pesto pasta with veggies and the best was the mulled wine, prepared by the guest :D We had loads to gossip about and laugh and make merry with some Boomerangs too ;)

Looking back, it was indeed a "satisfying and happy" week. Recently Prantik (who doesn't like to be referred to as 'the husband' all that much) shared an interesting article contrasting happiness vs satisfaction - which said happiness is a fleeting emotion, while satisfaction is more retrospective, based on meeting expectations etc.

I'm not a very social person in general, though my social media accounts might suggest otherwise. However, I have a handful of good friends, who I share my stories with - few from school, some from medical college and then, now the husband's friends who've I've grown close to too. But what I've realised over the years is that there are different kinds
of friends. And how close one is to each could also vary - but like that ad from yesteryear - "Har Ik Friend Zaroori Hota Hai"(Each friend is essential). Also, it's wrong to expect one friend to behave like another. Over the years, I've learnt to value these friends and friendships, for what they are. I may meet some less often, and some others more frequently, but I respect them all nonetheless. 

Given busy adult schedules, it gets tough to keep in touch all the time, but what I do is at least send a message once in a while; remember birthdays/anniversaries and send e-gifts perhaps; or like the husband does, just ring them up. You end up feeling mutually good and well, isn't that what friends are for? Happiness from the endorphin rush on the short run, but satisfaction in retrospect for a life lived and shared well. Not friendship day even, but just felt like writing a blog to celebrate all the varied friendships! Cheers y'all! Thanks for being family beyond family :)