For the love of sentimentality...everywhichwhere.

Letters from a friend.  Dating back 15 years or so.  On my mantle.  In my new home.  Cherished.  Much like the old Christmas card that popped out of a cookbook the other day quite pleasantly with it's HELLO!~ All Our Love, Grandma, Grandpa & Emma xo (Don't you just love when that happens...signs, signs are everywhichwhere...)

{Emma was their dog.  I suppose they are all three walking on some ethereal beach somewhere, waiting patiently (with all the knowledge we could ever hope for) for us to unite once more.}

True friendship is love.  It is support and a listening ear.  I wish upon each of you the gift of one true friend.  If you are fortunate to have more, all the better.  I wish for you all... people in your corner who:

• encourage
• bring out the best in you
• love unconditionally
• bloom when they are around you, and likewise you when you are around them
• are generous with praise and gentle with criticisms
• have time to talk even if it is for five minutes
• never take from you your possessions or try to take full credit for your ideas
• never make out that they are someone they are NOT
• never deliberately use you or try to hurt you
• are someone you would aspire to be like

If you need to let go of a friendship, do it with an open heart, and do it gently. After all, you could be on much different wavelengths, and have simply outgrown one another.  That in itself is no crime.

On this misty grey Monday filled with *magic* I leave you to ponder your own friendships.  Like a garden, one must tend to them regularly. Happy gardening!! xo

Comments

[Dharma in the Garden]

My true friends are few and also very far away but your message reminds me of the importance of friendship and how fortunate I am to have such wonderful people in my life.

[Gillian daSilva]

In a hurry so I went to peek at your site, wow, small world. Abraham-Hicks is wonderful!! I'll visit again but thank you for commenting. xo

[Sherry]

A beautiful post on a day where reflecting is such a wonderful thing to do.

[Marilyn]

I have been thinking about friendship this week too. I need to tend that garden better than I have for awhile.

Thanks! Great post.

[Tanya]

A very good checklist and words so true...friendship, when healthy and flourishing...is such a gift, immeasureable and priceless! xo

[Relyn]

bloom when they are around you

I read that and thought, "Oh. OH! I have a friend like that."

Thank you for this.

[nicole yaworski-ulloa]

Gillian, I am so happy that we have rekindled our friendship after all of these years. (I can't believe that you have kept all of those letters!) This post brought tears to my eyes, and filled my heart with love...Squish! Thank you for being a treasured gift, an inspiration, and my cherished friend. I love you. xo

[randi]

I love this psot Gillian!

[tifanie]

sweet words from a sweet girl. thank you. xo

[Preeti Shenoy]

Very nice post.
I am blessed to have a few true friends in my life.
And you are so right about letting go friendships gracefully too.
The points you brought out are so valid. I am tweeting this post :)
Cheers and warmth
Preeti

[Heather]

what a wonderful...WONDERFUL post.

[Tracey]

Very sweet words. And an all-too important reminder of what we need to prioritize in this life!

[Lil Red]

Your wishes are beautiful, my friend, and I so needed to hear the last part of your message. I just let a friend go yesterday (BELIEVE IT OR NOT!)...not far, not forever, but just not so close. I feel free and right about the decision. Thank you for helping me feel I made the right choice. I know I did! :)

¡Salud, Chica!

xoxo

[Jeaux]

What God plants, we water and feed. You’re my only frangipani, a friend for all seasons.

[Gillian daSilva]

Aw. Honoured, to say the VERY least.
Emailing you tomorrow. The Diablo is making me sketchy ;)

[Tracy]

Beautifully put, Gillian... A true friend is a gift a to be very thankful for. Friendships must be nurtured tenderly for them to grow. :o) Happy Day ((HUGS))

[Marilyn]

Lovely post. Thanks for the reminder to tend our garden of friendships.

[elizabeth]

beautifully put. i must water my garden.

[gemma]

Sprinkle sprinkle love in your garden.

[christina]

i am so teary reading this.
i respect friendship and hold it in my heart, right next to the most high.
ya mean the world to me.
xo