For years, I had a great group of friends. I think altogether more than 30 years.
We did an awful lot together.
It often started in the morning, even before breakfast. A quick message to wish each other a good day.
Usually after breakfast too. Did you eat well?
And so it went on all day. At coffee time. After lunch.
We went on a trip together: we've seen a lot of countries together.
When I went for a walk in the woods, they usually came along. Together, with the dog.
You could say we were inseparable.
Up until about a year and a half ago.
I went flying once. They weren't allowed to come with me.
A while before, they were also stopped when we wanted to go out for a meal. I was allowed in, but they weren't allowed into the restaurant.
In more and more places, Nico and Tineke, as my friends are called, were stopped.
I always thought they were great friends. I usually felt very at ease when they were around.
But I began to see it differently. They never had any money on them, I always paid the bills. I calculated it recently: they must have cost me at least 85,000 euros.
We had fewer and fewer mutual friends. Many other friends had already said goodbye to them.
Furthermore, they weren't really conducive to my health. They had a deep aversion to sports, and would never participate in athletic activities. Except for walking.
But the worst thing was that they stank. I never really noticed it myself, but others around me did. But then again, do you tell your good friends: you stink?
I started to try and avoid them. But I kept running into them again in unexpected places. Countless times I told myself that I'd be better off saying goodbye. I told them that too, but they didn't seem to get it.
Until the moment I finally dared to say goodbye for good. I called them up and told them that we had had an incredible time, which I wouldn't have missed, but that it was really over now. Nico and Tineke had cost me more than enough money and health.
Since I stopped smoking, which is what this is about, of course, I still regularly think about my old friends Nico and Tineke.
I'm really glad I don't have to see them anymore.
Do you feel that you don't need to see certain people anymore? Or do you actually want to meet them again? For the upcoming, long Ascension weekend, we still have a few cars available.!
