In honor of February's Black History Month observance, Language of Friendship has compiled several quotes from black leaders and artists who inspire us. We hope you'll add to the collection in the comments below! My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. --Desmond Tutu If you find it in... Continue Reading →
In the Deep Freeze
Here we are in the middle of winter, with much of the country experiencing extreme cold and snowy weather. Depending on your perspective, this time of year can feel bleak and isolating or cozy and invigorating. I'm trying to focus on cozy and invigorating, but that's not always easy to do with chattering teeth and... Continue Reading →
Fighting Fires
California dreaming turned nightmarish this week as wildfires roared unabated through Los Angeles County. Entire communities that were thriving and beautiful just days ago have been reduced to ashes. My talented LA-based friend and artist Zoe created the illustration above and penned a powerful letter to the fire to convey her feeling of living with... Continue Reading →
Happy Holidays 🎄🕎
Somehow it's that time of year again when the days get short and the parties get long! However you choose to celebrate the holidays, we hope that the season is filled with friendship, connection and love. All of us at the Language of Friendship wish you a very happy holiday season and new year filled... Continue Reading →
Celebrating Our Bicentennial
Believe it or not, this post marks the 200th time that Julia and I have collaborated on a topic related to friendship to share with you! What started during the Covid-19 pandemic as a way to stay connected has turned into an enduring project that continues to bind us as friends and build community. It... Continue Reading →
Happy Thanksgiving 🍁 🦃
With these days of late November characterized by fewer hours of daylight, I look forward each year to our Thanksgiving celebrations as a way to brighten up the end of the month. The quality time shared with family and friends in celebration of gratitude feels like the perfect antidote to the chilling temperatures and darker... Continue Reading →
Bruce and Stevie
Celebrating a fabulous birthday weekend in Chicago last week came with the added bonus of downtime on the plane to watch a few movies, including the new Stevie Van Zandt documentary that touches on one of the greatest friendships in rock history. A seriously talented musician in his own right, Van Zandt might be best... Continue Reading →
Bridging the Divide
No matter which candidate you voted for this week, chances are you had strong feelings about the election. Our politics have become so divisive in recent years that losing friends and cutting ties with family members has become relatively commonplace. At a time when many people are already suffering from social isolation, losing or damaging... Continue Reading →
Blast from the Past
A former schoolmate of mine this week sent a few of us who grew up together a relic from our past. He had unearthed an intact copy of our junior high newspaper in his dad's basement. After scanning the black-and-white, primitive-looking pages, he contacted us through a Facebook group message with the PDF attached. He... Continue Reading →
When Friends Experience Loss
This week I unexpectedly attended two funerals. The first was for the 88-year-old father of a close college friend. Her father was a very successful businessman, who had found time to call his daughter daily. She will certainly miss him dearly. The second funeral was for the 23-year-old daughter of a local friend. When illness... Continue Reading →