Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
Marcel Proust
I was invited to a birthday party on Saturday. It was a surprise birthday party for my friend, Linda. I have known Linda for a very long time. We met when we each were carrying our first child. These sons will soon turn 40. It amazes me the amount of time I have been friends with Linda.
We have shared some very fun and funny experiences and we have shared some very tragic. We have raised our children in the same town and our husbands have the same profession. But I couldn’t help but wonder are these the things that have made us friends all these years? What is it about someone that makes them a friend and keeps them a friend.
Oh, I know the usual answers – caring, good listening, trust, generosity, etc. These are all very important ingredients of friendship but I still felt that there was some intangible reason that I hadn’t figured out. Then I came across this quote from Proust. It revealed to me the intangible reason – friends simply make you happy and therefore you want to keep them in your life.
So, Happy Birthday Linda. Your friendship for these 40 odd years has simply made me happy. Thanks for the happiness and helping the garden of my soul to bloom.
Wishing my readers a week filled with opportunities for your soul to bloom.
Bernadette
What a beautiful expression of your friendship. Sometimes the answer to why we are friends with someone or why we love them is just that simple: they make us happy. Those are the kinds of people we want to keep in our lives.
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Quality friends. How essential. Bravo to your friendship and happy birthday Linda, from me.
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Good friends like Linda are hard to come by. I’m so glad you have her in your life.
Happy New Year (too)!
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I have a few “Lindas” in my life. They are precious! Your tribute to a lasting friendship is priceless!
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You ask a question I have pondered, why are you my friend and you are not my friend? I like your answer. Linda sounds like a special friend. Have a happy new year Bernadette!
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There’s nothing like having a friend who’s been around for 40 years. It’s lovely to be friends with someone for such a long time. I like that you searched for why you had become and stayed friends. Wonderful discovery – she simply makes you happy! Happy New Year (a couple of days late)!
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Hi, I nominated you for the Sunshine Award. I tried to ask new bloggers or bloggers that haven’t been around for awhile. Please do not feel pressure to participate. Please see my blog for more information.
http://adayinthelifeof19b.blogspot.com/2014/01/receiving-lots-of-sunshine.html
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Wow, that’s so special to have a friendship that has lasted for so long and through so many different milestones. BTW, that is one of my favorite’s quotes! 🙂
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