Making friends

At the start of this week, with Term 2 in school, I decided that I am going to make some friends. After all, I'll be in this school for at least the next 6 years if nothing changes.

I watched my daughter make friends with other children after school at the school playground and am very proud of her openness and willingness to play with others. We would stay back after school for afternoon tea and the girls get to play for awhile. There are a few other families who would stay and let their children play before going home.

I thought that I should make friends too, though I quite enjoy the solitary time making balloons myself.

It was difficult. It made me remember what it was like to be a new member of a group that already has so many 'friends'.

You know, I thank God for children. They are one gift from God that bring people together. I held my nearly 2 y.o.'s hand and went up to a mum, also with a 2 y.o., and asked if our children can play together. And a conversation started. Now, the girls are friends and I know someone by name at school.

Strangely enough, all, except one, of the children who stayed back to play were not from my daughter's year level. The one who is the same age as my daughter has an older brother and they all play together.

By the end of the week, I know the names of 3 mums! Hooray! I have to thank God for helping me step out of my comfort zone to talk to others. You see, I'm an introvert. I am happy to be on my own, without friends and be in my own world. It is frightening to make friends. Not so much the relationship building, but that first step. Never been easy. My palms perspire, my head comes up with 101 responses if people reject me, my face turns red, I get tongue-tied... Just to take that first step out to say, "Hi!"

So, now that I have made myself known, I hope to establish these friendships throughout my days in the school. Sphere: Related Content