Making one think again Lily.

Very nice ponderings and so much truth. And I think a lot about my friends in general. To me - cultivating friendships and keeping in touch with both family and friends is paramount in life. Mostly because I suppose I moved so much and I have a huge family.

I always wanted to keep a diary. Had one at age 11. I looked back it had only half a dozen entries in one year and it didn't say much. "New skates for Christmas. Went skating today in Lynns backyard, when to the rink, saw so and so", I guess it was all about those new skates at that time. btw which I still own and can fit. A few entries about liking a "mystery" person. Now I wonder who the person might have been?

Oh, why were we so secretive in a secret diary. (Maybe having 5 sisters will do that to a person).

Like you as I got older, many of my thoughts are expressed in hundreds of letters sent to family and friends over the years. And yes I would write lengthy ones many times, but always with protocol. I also write out my thoughts when something needs to be sorted through in a relationship. I have had short "journals" at times, but nothing consistant. I save many letters and cards (from others) and some University papers that had personal philosophies or stories. I take them out from time to time, look back to where I was at, it becomes very revealing and yes it can give one a real sense of joy to look back and remember. In a way I wish we had internet back then, I would have saved all my letters to others and there were hundreds, perhaps I could have pieced together a book/journal.

Neighbours: In my mind, one should make sure to be cordial and a good neighbour, however, I always understood that living next door to someone does not mean one has to automatically be good friends. But being a good neighbour will make one a friend indeed.

So true about your musings about friends and analogy. One can tell the truth to a friend, but there is a secret art to this as well. And one normally knows their own "truths" very well anyway. Trusted friends is what we accumulate, those who are constantly negative and critical (are they friends?). A friend should never make one feel inadequate, or ever make one cry, unless it is over a personal situation of hurt, loss or sentiment.

I hope all your friends become like gold and silver in life. But remember, some are like copper - like new pennies, all shiny and a whole way to start discovering that new friends will be made throughout life in ways that may surprise us.