Friends

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There is a saying and I’m not sure where it’s from but   “A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”  When I was young ‘Autograph Books’ were popular.    People would collect wise, wonderful witticisms in their Autograph Book which was for collecting the autographs of others.   Traditionally Autographs were exchanged among friends, colleagues, and classmates and were full of short poems,  drawings, personal messages,  small pieces of verse, and other mementos.   Today autograph books are still popular with children for  collecting signatures from celebrities.   My Autograph Book is long gone with the passage of time but I still remember two of the inscriptions which appeared.  The first  “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”. (Romans 12:17-21)  and second “True friends are like diamond’s precious and rare false are like autumn leaves found everywhere.”   Crazy-Frog

I have some special very long term friends with whom connections have endured decades. Over time it has been my pleasure to meet and greet people from all walks of life and in diverse circumstance’s or settings.   There are people who have consistently been loyal and taken risks to make sure my life and living has been as it aught.    These people  are present when the going gets rough, supporting, encouraging, clarifying and understanding,  helping to make difficult and challenging situations achievable.     Mahatma Gandhi  said “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”    and  “The good man is the friend of all living things.”