For an only child who never lived in one country for long, my friends have been my family. I made friends quickly, intensely and easily. I've always been a loyal friend - crushed every time I discovered not everyone is like that. I love my friends fiercely and I especially love knowing that the world simply isn't big enough to create a distance between us. Two of my very best friends live in New Zealand and Australia respectively. Thanks to email, Facebook and cell phones, they feel closer by than some of my friends who just live in the next town.
There have been friends I didn't see for more than 10 years and when we finally had the opportunity to touch base again, the years fell away and we just carried on where we'd left off. Having my friends spread across the globe has its advantages - no matter where we travel, we can always count on a bed for the night. It also has its drawbacks, like when we were getting married and distance meant many of my good friends couldn't be there.
I've recently made a new friend. She lives in the next street and was tough to get to know. I know from experience that it pays to persist with such people as many of my longest-lasting friendships started that way. She has proven to be a caring, funny, loving friend who I can take long walks with and talk about everything under the sun. I'm glad to have a friend like that who doesn't live two continents away! To have a friend and to be a friend are very precious things indeed. I, for one, cannot imagine a world without friends.
Linking up with the
Gypsy Mama for 5 minutes of writing on a Friday...
