A Reflection for Seniors
For older readers, this lesson may feel familiar. Many of us grew up with the belief that friendship meant endless giving, that we should always be there no matter the circumstances. But with age comes wisdom: relationships are meant to be mutual.
If you find yourself constantly giving while receiving little respect in return, it’s worth asking: Is this truly a friendship—or just an arrangement of convenience for the other person?
Our time, energy, and care are precious. At sixty, seventy, or beyond, we deserve to spend them with people who lift us up, not those who drain us.
Value Yourself First
The baby shower incident hurt at first. But now, I see it as a blessing. It opened my eyes to the difference between being needed and being valued.
I no longer waste energy on people who see me only as what I can provide. Instead, I invest in relationships where kindness is returned with gratitude, where presence matters more than contribution, and where respect is the foundation.
True friends will never uninvite you while keeping your food on the guest list. They will want you, not just what you can give.
And those are the friendships worth holding on to.