“We’re best friends”
MAYA ANGELOU: “There’s a marked difference between acquaintances and friends. Most people really don’t become friends. They become deep and serious acquaintances. But in a friendship you get to know the spirit of another person; and your values coincide. Friends may disagree, but not about serious matters. A friend will stand for you when you are no longer able. A woman can say to herself, If I die, I know that my friend, my sister friend will be here to hold up the banner. Now that’s very profound.”
What an emotional statement.
How many or you have a best friend, or indeed can count yourself as a best friend.
As my career has changed, grown and developed over the years I have gathered around me an entirely different group of friends. Students, peers in my industry and people I’ve made the acquaintance of as I work.
My husband and I maintain a deep friendship with a number of couples we grew to adulthood with. Our families became family through friendship and now after 4o years, we can just visit and capture the spirit of familiarity despite the years that pass.
However, for me, there is life changing busyness that progressively leaves me less time for friends. I feel as though I have to make an appointment to allow myself to spend time with friends. I’m aware that I do need to make an effort the nurture my friendships. Sometimes, I just make a note in my diary to ring someone special in my life… maybe just send a small gift. But I do need to work on it.
Then there are the unseen friends. Social Media has changed the way we communicate and make acquaintances. I’m constantly reminded of the happiness given as a silent gift from friends who know me through my images and writings. Yesterday I received a wonderful message, a gift of kind words with a humbling explanation. Thank you. I’m grateful.
We are friends indeed.
Thank you Pam for the reminder about the importance of friendship, how it changes as the years roll by. Some special relationships roll along with you, yet they need to be nurtured.
We can allow busyness to isolate us. As in all things balance is the key and often difficult to achieve. Bless you as you share, create and be your beautiful self. Hugs.
Nola, I agree with you wholeheartedly.thank you and so glad you’re home safely.
Pam,
My best friends are the ones who can be out of contact for weeks, months, and up to 30 years, and still feel like best friends when they turn up in your life again.
Pam,
My son once studied a course which defined degrees of friendship. Those you confided in completley,those you were more casual with
and acquaintances and so it goes on.
It is more difficult now when Facebook followers “like” you on Facebook, are they really friends?
But I think real friends wiould attend your funeral !!!
I agree with you Prue. I think the ‘likes’ are just that…. likes…. however, I have made the dearest friends through the internet. Friends that will be my soul mates forever… had there not been an internet, we would never have met. Friendship is complicated. Its all in the mind and heart of the individual. I had a friendship once where I was betrayed and it shook my very soul. I learned a lesson from that for sure.
So true. Food for thought!