A recent meme I saw said, “Never say no to a 30 minute beer with friends, because that hour and a half can turn into the best four hours of your week.”

It wasn’t beer, but it was a phone call. My friend Dawn called, worried about a friend in the hospital facing a tough decision; the details aren’t mine to explicate. All I could do is listen to her worry and agonize and wonder what she could do while realizing the answer was and always going to be, nothing. 15 minutes of patience and being a safe space for her to vent in.

And then it shifted. We caught each other up on the shows and books we’d watched. I told her about my troubles focusing on getting a new car, and how I really wanted a Jeep for sale but couldn’t justify it’s long term maintenance and fuel costs practically, but everyone else was telling me to get it becuase I wanted one. She said she wanted me to get a Jeep so she could put those big eye lash decorations on the headlights. I said that instantly killed any desire I had for the Jeep, or any vehicle with circular headlights, and she cackled and howled over the phone.

An hour later, we were still talking, but my headphone batteries were dying. We said good night; I’ve made a note to check in on her tomorrow. I’ve also been reminded to virtually tap on the shoulders of Lee and Nicole and remind them we need to get some drinks again soon. I know just the place, with some beautiful bartenders we can enjoy as we chat about whatever.

I need more half hour beers, phone calls, meetups like this in my life. No matter how I feel at the start, I tend to come out feeling better for it.