In the mid-1990s I worked in a college and made a number of good friends – four in particular stand out. However although I have seen each of them in-between, I then lived abroad for several years and somehow have not reconnected since my return.

I do think that people come into our lives at particular times, perhaps for a particular reason. Some friendships last over time, others are relatively short-lived although no less valuable for that. Sometimes however we grow apart and it seems better for friendships to remain a positive memory rather than something to hang onto regardless. The four women I worked with were very different and this meant our friendships differed as well, but each was important in its way.

It took me a little time to decide who to contact, and also how to get in touch. Should I email, message or phone? I realised that I did not have up-to-date contact details for all of them but did not let this determine who to get in touch with. And so I decided to message someone I worked closely with all those years ago; someone who very generously mentored me when I was new and relatively inexperienced. She was warm, approachable, and extremely hard-working, setting very high professional standards for herself, and supportive of others to do the same. Whether I hear back from this old friend, I do not know, but I hope so as I would love to catch up with her again.