Wikipedia lists friendship as “a co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more people. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection and respect along with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crisis.”

It goes on to say “Friends will welcome each other’s company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism.”

It’s not a subjective belief to say that we all need friends.  Speaking from my own subjective viewpoint now, I do need friends.  Friends are the family we choose to have in our lives, there’s nothing forced about it.  They are there because we want them to be there.

There is an oft-used quote which states “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.”

I can’t speak for others, of course I can’t but friends are invaluable to me.  They touch my heart, they inspire me, they make the world a softer, kinder and more friendly place.  They inhabit my heart and fill my mind with wonder and bring a special quality which can never be erased even if I should lose contact with them or only see them on occasion.

Some people choose to put a bar on friendship along gender, colour, race, sexuality, religious/spiritual lines and that’s for them to do so.  I however choose to keep my lines of communication open to all because in doing so I maximise the amount of good and with time, great friends I will have.

Friends simply are wonderful.  They are our heart-line family.