“Friendship is a
single soul,
living in two bodies.”
~Aristotle
Last week I celebrated a birthday. I’m well past the time in
my life when that day brings excitement and eager anticipation for parties and
gifts. These days, my birthday
generally moves me in a more contemplative direction; what did the year unfold
for me, what lies ahead, what moved me, what changed me?
As I mulled over the events of the past year, I was not surprised to note that each milestone, accomplishment, challenge, celebration
unwinding in my head that morning included the presence, contribution, encouragement of a friend…big as life
or on the sidelines – but clearly part of the glue of my life. My family and
health are certainly at the top of my gratitude list, but it is my friends who
buoy me, who help me see my place in the world, who shine their light in my
darkest hours, who laugh with me and AT me and help me take myself less
seriously, who cheer me on and applaud me regardless of how small (or silly) my
accomplishments are, who also say “get over it” and who say “I know” because
they do.
This sweet tale defines true friendship for me. Gratefully,
a friend has reached out to me in all my times of trouble and joy.
"This guy's walking
down the street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep he can't get
out. A doctor passes by and the
guy shouts up, 'Hey you. Can you help me out?' The doctor writes a
prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes
along and the guy shouts up, 'Father, I'm down in this hole can you help me
out?' The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on.
Then a friend walks by, 'Hey, Joe, it's me can you help me out?' And the friend
jumps in the hole. Our guy says, 'Are you stupid? Now we're both down here.'
The friend says, 'Yeah, but I've been down here before and I know the way
out.'" (Leo to Josh - West Wing)
New friends, old friends, friends who defy the boundaries of
time and space, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart….but for
you my heart has no bottom.
With the deepest gratitude…
Dorothy
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