The joy of friendship

[rubygirl29]

Tonight I had dinner with my two friends who have known me the longest. I'm almost ashamed to say how long -- lets just say somewhere beyond 25 years. We've known each other since second grade, went to high school together, but went to different colleges. Two of us are librarians, two of us love to write, and we all love to read just about everything. We love movies, and go to them frequently, but not often together. This was a birthday celebration, so we went out to a very nice restaurant for dinner. We got there at 7pm, and since most of the restaurant staff were involved with two very large parties, the sittings were pretty relaxed. We stayed until nearly 11pm.

When we were in college and home on breaks at the same time, we could sit around my kitchen table, drink tea, or wine, and talk the night away. Even after all this time, it holds true.

If you have friendships for a lifetime, then you are rich beyond imagination. I have many friends and I love them all -- they have been with me through the darkest times of my life, and I know they will be there for me, as I will be there for them. They have also been the sources of great joy, laughter and give me a zest for living and enjoying being me. We have to pretend many things in our everyday lives, but we never have to pretend with our friends, because we love each other.

So, to my friends old and new, near and far, here's to you!