In "Theft by Finding: Diaries," David Sedaris reflects on the unpredictability of friendships over time. He highlights the difficulty in understanding which friendships will endure and which will naturally dissolve. His experiences of moving often led to a significant loss of contact with friends, revealing how easily connections can fade when there isn't effort from both sides. Sedaris suggests that the lack of effort in maintaining these friendships often results in distance rather than outgrowing one another.

The author contrasts past communication methods, such as sending letters that required stamps, with the ease of modern-day email. This change in communication highlights how technology has both simplified staying in touch and made it easier to let relationships slip away. Ultimately, Sedaris emphasizes the importance of effort in sustaining friendships, acknowledging that the passage of time and circumstances can alter the dynamics of even the strongest connections.