Old Friends and New Adventures: A Reflection on Friendship

When I think back to Jr. High, one clear memory is being assigned a poem to memorize and recite. I chose a short, familiar rhyme:

Make new friends

But keep the old.

One is silver,

but the other gold.

The comparison of silver and gold still feels true: both new and old friends are precious, but in different ways. Recently I spent five delightful days with a friend in Alberta who clearly belongs in the “gold” category—someone I’ve known for more than twenty years. She came to the camp where I live and work, and though we once led together, time and experience have shifted our roles so that now I find I’m the one learning from her.

She’s the friend who introduced me to my first fluffy white spa robe and opened a small world of simple pampering. She’s also the one whose encouragement convinced me to take on the challenge of cooking for fifty teenagers in the woods—a daunting but unforgettable task that taught me a lot about resilience, improvisation, and the joy of community meals.

One of the things I treasure most about long friendships is how easily conversation picks up where it left off. Even with months or miles between visits, a single warm hug can dissolve the distance. That immediate reconnection is restorative—like slipping into a familiar room and finding everything in its place.

My visit came just before the busiest season at camp, so those few days away felt like a perfect pre-summer break. I got to be part of her family routine for a short time: morning school drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups, the small logistics that shape a household, and the background music of everyday life. I read in the living room while a beautiful cello and violin practice filled the house. We attended a superb jazz concert where Kirsten sang lead—a memorable evening that showcased the lively, creative side of her family life.

We also made time for coffee—hazelnut became our go-to—and wandered through neighborhoods of Edmonton I hadn’t explored before. We discovered charming shops and enjoyed meals in restaurants whose flavors I’ll remember. Those simple outings—walking side by side, talking about life, plans, and memories—are what travel and friendship are really about.

Despite all the moments I intended to capture, I forgot to take pictures until right before I left. Her five-year-old son kindly took a quick snap of us at the airport; it’s a small keepsake that reminds me how spontaneous and sweet these visits can be. What the photo doesn’t show is how windy it was that day—later I was told a tornado passed through the area just a few hours afterward, which was a startling piece of news and a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change.

During the visit I also met a new friend, someone who sparked a fresh idea and inspired me to consider a new direction. For now that remains the beginning of another story—one I’m excited to explore and share at the right time.

Old friends bring history and comfort; new friends bring fresh perspective and possibility. Spending time with someone who knows you deeply yet still surprises you is one of life’s great pleasures. Whether it’s a familiar poem learned in adolescence or a spontaneous cup of coffee in a new city, those small moments of connection are the gold of everyday life.

Here’s to keeping the old, welcoming the new, and making the most of the time we share.