We sat closely huddled together, the 4 of us. The rest had gone off after dinner and drinks. It was late but nobody was in a hurry to leave though it was a work day the next day.

We bared our hearts and souls that night. We reminisced about the past, shared stories of each other’s growing pains and revealed dreams that no one knew about. Dreams, that had come to pass and those that had not. Often we would look at each other with awe … Eyes that seemed to say “I didn’t know that ..? ”

For a long time we lived apart. No contact whatsoever. There are gaps and question marks in various stages of our lives caused not so much by memory lapses but by our not being there. Yet there were no accusations that night. Questions of ‘where were you when…. ?’ did not arise.

We all made new friends along the way but strangely enough, through it all, we knew for certain that despite the absence, we were still friends… that we will always be friends. Neither time, nor distance, or even death for that matter, can take away something that is embedded deeply in the heart...

Now I am beginning to understand and appreciate this verse ….

… For friendship must make no demand, but to comfort, love and understand...