“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
Was it only a few days ago when I blogged about finding happiness in simple things? I found these wonderful words from Henri Nouwen (another favorite author) which exactly echo my own thoughts. Time and again, I’ve quoted the same words when I blog about friendship.Sometimes, you are lucky to be inspired by how other people see things, how they look at life from their end, how in one way or another, you feel that you are exactly at that same place and you smile because you are blessed.
My youngest brother and I love to talk about our younger years. Early this morning he asked me how I am going to celebrate my birthday. Will there be a party? At my age, you don’t call it a party but a gathering of friends you are close to. You laugh out loud at some silly jokes but no one would really mind because they laugh at the same things. You shed a tear or two and they also get teary-eyed while sharing their own unique journeys. Kindred souls…that’s who we are. They lift you up when things seem to be not right in your world and they are not blind to your faults. I look forward to seeing them again soon.
I found this lovely meme from one of my friends’ timeline. How true! It’s from lessonslearnedinlife.com.
lessonslearnedinlife.com
You’re lucky when you find a friend who celebrates with you at your best and be there for you at your worst.
Dreams And Escapes 
Wise thoughts and reflections Arlene. ‘Kindred souls’ is a perfect way to describe true friends.
Best wishes from England, Pete.
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Thanks Pete!
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My wise old grandmother taught me to cherish my friends because many of them would mean more to me than many of my family members. She was right. With a few billion Mormon (mom) and Catholic (dad) family members, I’m estranged from all but two stepsisters, a stepniece, and a cousin.
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Friends are gifts that we should always treasure. Thanks for dropping by Russel.
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yes, friends are gifts, they’re blessings from God! great words of henri nouwen! 🙂
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Thanks lolaWi. And I am blessed finding you here at WP.
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