What is it that causes friends to just stop returning calls and emails? During this past year alone, I have seen this happen with two people who I have long considered among my top five friends. Let's call one Tina and the other John.I've known Tina for about seven years and John for almost 21. Whenever we've gotten together, we always have a really good time. At least it sure seems like that from my perspective. As with most friends throughout my life, it is up to me to call first and suggest a venue or event, though Tina would often secure free tickets and invite me.
I have not seen Tina since late January, and the last I saw of John was shortly after that. I have called and left messages several times for each of them. I have sent group emails and personal emails about a dozen times to both. No response, save for John telling me that he had a cold and so couldn't call me. That reminds me of the "I have to wash my hair" excuse for not accepting a date.
What is it about our world that we can just drop people like that? Without parting words. Without reason. At least no reasons that are stated. What is wrong with us as a society that we can just cut connections with a friend of even two decades' standing as easily as we can neglect to answer an email from a potential suitor on an online dating site?
Though I have received many, many such messages over the years that Southern California is not a good fit for me, perhaps this is just one more. Granted, our entire country and our entire world are fast becoming as disconnected and superficial as So Cal, but So Cal has always been the epicenter.
