DEAR MISS MANNERS: There’s a woman I’ve known for more than 40 years. We were close when our children were young, but we have not been in regular contact for many years. I still care a lot about her, and believe the feeling is reciprocated.

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She’s become more isolated by health challenges over the last couple of years, and my invitations to meet for lunch have been rebuffed. I haven’t taken it personally.

She’s facing surgery in a few days, and I had the epiphany that an old-fashioned phone call would be welcomed. We talked for more than an hour, about a wide range of topics, and my sense was that we were both having a good time. As we were winding down, she got serious and said some kind things about me. I was touched and told her how appreciative I was.

In the moment,

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