The best mirror is an old friend

“The best mirror is an old friend.” — George Herbert

Finding parts of ourself through the eyes of old friends. There are parts of us, that were the original innocent and untarnished versions they existed a long time ago. Before we grew up and learnt the ways of the world. This shiny bit surfaces when we meet our old friends, the ones that held our hands when our fingers were little and fragile. Then we meet our own self through the eyes of childhood friends.

Last week, I met two of my old friends, one I knew since I was 6 years old, she was my partner in crime, of climbing walls and jumping down, cycling till our breaths gave way or riding the big bad Best buses to see a movie. A world of pure friendship. We shared the rasgolas as we had money for only one or two. We walked back from school. Missing the school bus, as we considered it an adventure, young little girls doing the forbidden things. She did not question me, and we were each other’s
shadow!

The other was a young boy, that is now a Doctor! We have seen each other through real times, like a parent passing away, being there for each other. Holding strong for each other, the empathy we shared for pain is what made us good friends. This maybe missing from the current generation, when conversations happened face to face, when fun was not an expensive ride. To connect, stay connected, not judging, appreciating our differences and yet having each other’s back. 4 and more decades later we still do.

Reuniting with friends from our early childhood days can be a powerful experience, akin to revisiting the chapters of our own personal history. The kaleidoscope of memories reflecting aspects of ourselves that might have faded or been overshadowed by the passage of time and the pressures of adult life.

In the company of these childhood friends, we find ourselves transported back to a time when our personalities were still in the process of formation when our dreams were big and our worries small. They remind us of the innocence and simplicity of our younger selves, evoking memories of shared adventures, insider jokes, and the unbridled joy of just being together.

Moreover, these friends possess a unique perspective on our lives, having witnessed our evolution first-hand. They remember the moments and quirks that shaped us, often with a clarity that surprises us.

The beauty is that in their recollections, we catch glimpses of the person we used to be—the dreams we once harbored, the fears we once faced, the laughter we once shared.

Through their eyes, we come face to face with forgotten parts of ourselves—the idealistic dreamer, the fearless explorer, the unapologetic goofball. These encounters can be both nostalgic and revelatory, prompting us to re-evaluate who we’ve become in light of who we once were.

To all those who were there from the beginning; I sing; “Those were the days my friend,” and I know you know that I mean it to you!

Written by: Dr.(hon) Farhana Vohra