Good friends are an absolute gift aren't they?

[DancingDucks]

Things have been a bit tricky for me the last few months with one thing and another. My two closest friends live quite far away since I moved with work and I miss them so much. They have met a few times but don't know each other that well, but one contacted the other over social media and they arranged to come to see me. I am on annual leave this week and they have both taken time off work, travelled 200 miles and arrived at my door this lunchtime. They are the kindest, most lovely women and I am so grateful to have them in my life. Best of all, they get on so well together that I feel their visit will cement a friendship between them too.

So we've all got in our PJs and just about to open our second bottle and eat even more crisps.

There's absolutely no point to this post other than it's just made me think how important our friendships are. Even at 58 years old, I still love to sit with these women and talk nonsense. I'm so grateful for the women in my life.

They are. I cherish my friends.

From quiet homes and first beginning, out to the undiscovered ends, there's nothing worth the wear of winning, but laughter and the love of friends.
Hilaire Belloc

It's so very true (and I am old!). And I have no great love for Mr Belloc but this is so bang on right.

Thats so lovely @DancingDucks - at 60+ I am now going through a very tough time and found out that in fact I have fewer friends than I thought; certainly no one who would do what your friends have done today. I sat and wrote a "friend map" the other day because I need to move, and could see that even though I am only about 40 miles away, people just won't visit and most won't listen or chat on line etc. I have about a dozen friends who I might see twice a year if I organise it. Hardly makes for a vibrant social life!

It's been a real shock to realise all this having divorced ex-H 18 months ago. Both my best friends died about 10 years ago and my remaining family consists of my young adult DDs and 2 cousins. I'm grateful for that obviously, but I envy you your lovely friends. They are definitely worth their weight in gold (and crisps!)

I'm so sorry you lost your friends, that must have been so hard for you. 😢 My adult children are fantastic but they have their own lives and obviously need me less now. The chaos of their younger years, that I was so desperate to pass, is long gone and blimey I miss it. I never imagined I would, but i really do. My friends are in the same position I guess and instead of talking about our children constantly I guess we talk about ourselves more. I feel like I know them better now than I ever have I suppose.

I love this, and it's true. Good friends are good for the soul.