Dear LPG, 

When I mention the problem I am focussed on today I include myself.

Some people love to talk as they get older and everyone needs a friend who they can talk to, or at, even if they only need someone to listen.  I know that the Samaritans do a wonderful job and it is very special to have at least one friend that you know you can tell all your troubles to in the knowledge that they will show interest without judging. 

I have a friend who often provides this indispensable service for me and it works the other way round too.  When you have a problem or find yourself just wanting to talk and talk you can sometimes forget to stop.    I think that the most valuable friend is the one that you can call in the middle of the night when you can’t sleep because of a need to share.  

I think that more of us than will admit have been in that position to the point where you can eel yourself nodding off   in mid conversation.

The good thing is that many of those conversations happen over the phone and, as long as you remember to mumble a reassuring ‘yes’ or ‘mmmm’ every now and again you can get away with being supportive and getting the odd 40 winks in from time to time.  

I have to admit to falling asleep while trying to do my best to stay awake and sound interested in the early hours before now which has left me having to phone later that day and apologise.  Have you ever woken up hours later with the phone still on your pillow next to your ear? That is one of the most embarrassing things that can happen but when the boot is on the other foot, and it is you going on about something to the point where there is no answer at all from the friend at the other end of the line, reality sets in with the realisation that you too can talk for England. 

There is no doubt that we all need this service from time to time and it is so easy to not realise when we are overdoing the chat so we need to remember that, if we were doing the talking for far too long, we need to forgive that friend that petered out at the other end of the phone.  There is a lesson to be learned about the extent of just how long you can talk for.  And if your friend fell asleep on the other end of the phone, it is a defiant indication that you talk too much, so make a point of forgiving them the next time you have a chat.  

GJ, Penge