A friendship grows and changes with time
By Laura Sosinski, PharmD, MBA, BCPS
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, friendship is defined as “the state of being friends.” While the word friend is defined as one attached to another by affection or esteem, this does not paint the picture of what true friendship has been for me. While friendships can evolve and fade over time, I am lucky this one has continued to grow with time.
Nine years ago, I would have explained friendship as someone who stays up late to study with me and filled my weekend with fun. Five years ago, it meant someone who kept me grounded and sane through the challenges of residency and COVID-19, even if that was from a distance. Today, my definition has evolved once again.
That’s the beautiful thing about friendship. It grows and changes with time.
With you when the going gets tough
As an “elder” new practitioner, I have reflected quite a bit on friendship. It is full of shared experiences that are both the good and the ugly. It is not always about the person who you hang out with every Saturday night. In fact, it’s the person you must pencil in on your calendar 3 months ahead of time because she is a busy pharmacist just like you. She cheers on your accomplishments and is always willing to lend an ear during a quarter life crisis. This kind of friendship doesn’t come easy. It includes the tough moments when you hear what you don’t want to, but exactly what you need to. I didn’t recognize that 9 or 5 years ago.
The most important aspect of this kind of friendship is staying when the going gets tough. Struggling with fertility issues is not only physically demanding, but also mentally demanding. These past few years, I was grateful to have a friend who magically knew when I needed to be checked on. Her presence and concerns were always evident. Her ability to digest my physical and emotional pains must have been difficult when I always chose her. Her grace in forgiving me when I let something slip was sincere and needed. A friendship like this continues to give even when one party may not fully express their gratitude.
There for each other
Thank you for this friendship and for understanding that even when I’m not at my best, I’m still deeply grateful for how we have evolved over the last 9 years. Please know you are not taken for granted. This friendship helped me through my tough times, and I am ready to repay that when needed.
Laura Sosinski, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, is the pharmacy manager at Walgreens Specialty in Indianapolis and the residency director for the PGY1 community-based program. She is also a New Practitioner Community policy member-at-large. Outside of pharmacy, she enjoys gardening and taking her dog, Daisy, on long walks to the local coffee shop.