On the theme of boundaries,

guest contributor Cheryl Farrell believes that setting boundaries

should not prevent the good from coming in.

In a moment of exasperation with a long-time friend, I asked, “Who have you become? Who are you?”

I’ve known “Mary” for more than three decades. We were like sisters of different races. Even now, mentioning our racial difference is unseemly. Until the day I confronted her, it didn’t matter that Mary is white and I’m Black.

When our children were young, we shared daycare resources. We spent long hours in consoling conversations during the loss of jobs, marriages, and parents. I thought we had a connection that would stand the test of time. Sadly, it looked as if our time ran out due to a major difference of opinion.

The civil unrest of 2020 and the U.S. presidential election a few months later exposed a hairline fracture in our relationship that became a major crack. I had to ask, “What happened to you, my friend?” She asked the same of me.

The details of our newly discovered differences are not important to reveal here. Suffice to say, our deep-seated beliefs about racial equality versus privilege led us to a great measure of hurt. After several attempts to sort out our issues, I needed to shut this hurt down. I needed to shut Mary out.

I recalled a psychological strategy to set boundaries as a way to preserve friendships. According to licensed therapist Cori Hill, “Having boundaries in a friendship is not just about saying ‘no’ … it’s about managing walls, doors and windows—navigating the space between you and another person.”

When I shut out my long-time friend, I inadvertently shut out other people. They weren’t necessarily Mary’s friends, but they were folks who reminded me of her. I was trying to avoid those who may offend me when they reached philosophical crossroads. But, just as I don’t want to be stereotyped, I shouldn’t deny good people based on superficial similarities.

After nearly nine months, I set up a new approach with Mary that allows me to have “porous” boundaries. We agreed not to talk about politics. It’s awkward and stifling at times, and I’m still wounded from the initial hurt. However, this renewed relationship opened me back up to my friends. Life is too short to set up barriers to the good things we can experience.