"Il est curieux qu'à mon âge on commence à redouter la perte de relations. Comme un arbre, qui doit, dit-on, être épargné de toute nouvelle coupe à ses racines, on sent qu'on ne peut plus supporter de perdre encore des amis."

As we get older, there's this strange feeling that losing contact with people we know becomes a bigger deal. It's like when a tree's roots are cut too many times, it just can't handle it anymore—it's the same with friendships. When we're young, making new friends is part of the adventure of life. But as we grow older, we start to fear losing touch with those we've grown close to.

This idea probably comes from the fact that as we age, our social circles tend to shrink naturally. Maybe it's because we get busier, move to different places, or simply because life takes us in different directions. When we’re young, we might think we'll always have time to reconnect. However, the older we get, the more we realize how precious those connections are.

Think about a grandparent who treasures phone calls from old friends or former colleagues. They might not have seen each other in years, but those relationships still mean the world. It's like that tree analogy—their roots have been intertwined for so long that losing a friend feels like losing a part of themselves.

One vivid example is a story I read about a man named John and his childhood friend, Mike. They grew up together, inseparable through thick and thin. As life went on, they both got married, moved to different cities, and had their own families. Years passed with only the occasional holiday card. Then one day, John heard that Mike had passed away. The regret he felt was palpable—John realized that he had let one of his oldest and dearest friendships slip away because he'd been too caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. This loss wasn't just about Mike; it was about the memories, the shared history, and the deep roots that had been cut.

To apply this wisdom, make an effort to stay connected with people you care about. It's easy to get busy and let friendships drift, but those connections are worth nurturing. Call an old friend just to catch up, send a message to let someone know you're thinking of them, or arrange to meet up if you can. Small gestures can mean a lot.

Imagine you're at a coffee shop, catching up with a friend from high school. You laugh about the silly things you did as teenagers and talk about how much life has changed. This is what it's all about—keeping those roots strong. Even if it's just once in a while, these moments remind us of where we've been and who we've shared our journey with.

So, next time you think about an old friend, don't just let it be a passing thought. Reach out. Because as we get older, those connections become more valuable, and like the tree, we need those roots to stay grounded.