[chica]

My friend S, who I have known for 17 years, doesn't contact me anymore. We have never had any real disagreements or problems and have always felt close and comfortable together despite having different social circles and living in different areas. We had respect for each other, though quite different people and could always talk about anything, however personal.

Over the 18 months or so, she doesn't call at all, and hasn't responded to a few messages I have left or the birthday card I sent her (I couldn't make it to her party).

We have always had an understanding that periods of less contact are not a reflection of our degree of care for one another or the importance of our friendship, but it has felt like so long now that I find it hard to feel that is the case anymore.

I rang her a while after I sent the card to say hi and try to catch up and she said sorry she hadn't rung but she has been busy organising finance for her new car. I was surprised about that but didn't pass judgement of any kind and just thought she'd call me when it was all done and she had some time. But she never did

I love her very much and don't want the friendship and all the history we share to dissolve in this way. I can grow to accept it if she doesn't feel as though there is a strong friendship there anymore, but I would rather have a discussion about it and be open than have the relationship disappear so unceremoniously.

[color=indigo]Has anyone else tackled a situation like this?
Was it resolved or how did it pan out?
Any suggestions?[/color]

When I had a friendship that felt past its' use-by date, I was upfront with the person, because I believed that what we had shared deserved that honesty. But I do understand that people deal with things differently and may not be able to say things like that for fear of hurting the other person.

[color=orange]thanks for your thoughts[/color]