I need to share something that’s been on the edge of my awareness for a while but that just got confirmed tonight.

Know the saying about the value in cutting people out of your life?

I know it has helped me a lot to grow and change. I have become a stronger and better person because of the pruning that I’ve done.

But tonight I realized that I, too, have been pruned from someone’s life.

She and I became friends when I was still in college. We worked together. We had friends in common. She and her husband came to my first wedding.

As we both grew families of our own, our paths cris-crossed. We ended up in the same school district.

When I fretted, she comforted. When I laughed, she laughed. When I marveled, she oohed and aahed along with me.

She is the absolute definition of kindness.

But something has changed.

This fall, when I ran into her, it seemed she would always be busy. On the phone. No eye contact. Turning away and no opportunity to chat. No smiles.

I sent a few emails.

No reply.

Then tonight, for the first time in months, we were in the same room. And when I headed towards her (on my way to the bathroom btw), she grabbed her phone and turned away.

For hours.

I need to accept that I don’t fit in her world any more. I wish her well. I will always be grateful to her.

And because I understand, tonight, I’m letting go.