It’s been a rough 12 months for losing some very loved friends.

But life contains multitudes and there has been joy and renewal as well.

I made this animation earlier in the year and have only just got around to polishing it up now. It’s about making new friends (as the title suggests!). All the feelings about sussing people out, testing the waters, making the moves in a friendship, getting to know one another, and blossoming from the shared experience.

Inspired specifically by two new friendships made at a weekly balance and strength class for people with MS.

As a fair recluse, I was quite reluctant about the social aspect of joining a class like this. Turns out I’m more social than I realised. I really liked the people in my class and we’ve formed quite the trio. After class coffee has become an important ritual. The social aspect being just as important for my health as the exercise.

There’s also a kinship, security and nurturing that comes from being with people who have the same disease. So much is understood and need not be explained.

I think making friends gets harder as you get older.. and especially if you have any limiting factors in your life, like caring duties or chronic health conditions / disability. I’m so grateful for these new connections and the new colours they’ve brought into my life.

Sound on.

Enjoy.

Wind Chimes recording by Phillip Goddard. freesound.org/people/Philip_Goddard/