Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold.

This saying is one that many folks remember many years ago from their scouting days, and I am sure it is still used by scouts to this day. It is one that I repeated so many times during my own childhood years.

Thinking back on those days brings to mind so many names and faces from the past. Looking over faded photographs of a schoolyard with jump ropes, lunch boxes, and smiling faces with goofy hairdos, missing teeth and the invisible presence of joy and comfort comes to mind.

We make friends along the way of life. Sometimes we lose them, sometimes we lose touch with them; sometimes we are thrown into new environments where we must start all over to meet new friends.

That often happens when we leave our home towns and head off to college, the military or a new job in a new town. It can be very intimidating at first. How can we fit in? How can we have the comfortable feeling of having good friends once again? It often happens in the strangest ways and it is a moment that we are not always prepared for.

Have you ever been stuck in a crowded airline terminal or at a meeting for instance, where all the faces are strangers and lo and behold a situation arises and you begin to bond with the group you are with. It is because you are sharing the same frustration or other situation that has come about. This may only be a short-lived friendship, but there was a definite connection going on.

With all the wars and conflicts that are going on, it is so impressive to me that the ones left at home or at military bases find support and connections woven in throughout their community. There is a definite order to these people knowing that they must rely on each other for support and friendship in order to carry on with life. They certainly share a common bond of living with the fact that they have loved ones putting their lives on the line for our county and the world.

Sometimes these friendships last a lifetime and again others are for a fleeting moment. Over the years I have experienced many bonds of friendship and know that these have come to be a powerful force in my life.

I have friends to this day from Kindergarten through college and beyond. I have friends from work experiences, volunteer experiences and associations. Each one gives a unique measure to my quality of life.

About a year and a half ago a dear and treasured friend passed away unexpectedly. She was part of a very close knit group of friends who share a monthly meal, a glass of wine and occasional “therapy” shopping and a definite gift of gab. We call ourselves “Treasured Friends.”

We unconditionally love each other and when our friend passed away we were deeply shocked and saddened. From each other we found the strength to honor her memory in many special ways, one was the purchase of a Norway Spruce, which was planted in her daughter’s yard for the whole family to remember her, since Christmas was her favorite holiday. This tree is decorated at Christmas and it continues to grow tall and strong in their front yard as a reminder of their loved one.

In her eulogy this bond of friendship was mentioned because it meant so much to her family and to us. We have gathered comfort in knowing what loving relationships are all about.

When we face sorrow and hardships we come to the full circle of knowing how much it hurts to love. However, we also know that we can continue to love because of the invisible bond and support that is found in friendships. These friendships can carry us beyond ourselves and to a sense of peace and comfort.

“Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold.”

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