As a writer, I sit down every day and write about relationships. The coming together of two people, or the angst they go through when they’re breaking up. And I’m not just talking about the relationship between men and women. I’ve written about mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, best friends and sometimes natural enemies. And no relationship is stagnant. I’ve been married longer than I’ve been single and our relationship has morphed several times over the years. Any good relationship changes with time. Trouble weasels into a relationship if you can’t find a way to grow and change together.

The hardest thing in the world to nurture is the relationships we have with the people in our lives, but they are also the most fulfilling. I’ve had to let go of some associations in the last couple of years. Each one for different reasons and each one was an agonizing choice. I had to make a decision based solely on emotions. Mine. The friendship that didn’t feel too friendly and the sisterhood that faded over time caused me more unhappiness than I was willing to tolerate. But I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t come out of them unscathed. There is still a part of me that wants to rekindle those connections. But sometimes its best leave broken ties behind.

What I had to accept was relationships come and go. Friendships come, and friendships go. If I’m lucky some of the people will be with me for a lifetime, others are passing through on their way to where they need to be. I have to trust that everything happens for a reason and enjoy the people, who are right in front of me now. I have to embrace them, love them and if the time comes when I have to let them go, I have to accept that and let go.