Dear Annie: From time to time, I read letters from people feeling blue because their friends never call to initiate social time together or just chat. I understand how this can be hurtful or frustrating, but I’d like to share another perspective.

I’ve had the same best friend for over 50 years. We met while working at the same company, then went in separate professional directions, but we always stayed in touch. But I’ve always been the one to reach out.

We’ve been golfing buddies, fishing friends and frequent lunch companions. We attended each other’s children’s weddings and always exchanged cards for birthdays and holidays. We even walked together through our wives’ cancer diagnoses and recoveries. And all that time, I was always the first to call.

Did it annoy me? Sometimes. But I w

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