I thought alot this weekend about the types of friendships people have.

We have those friendships that are fleeting-so fleeting that they are like stones being skipped across the top of a lake or pond. You know them, they are the people you see regularly on the bus-you say hi, they may know what stop you get on and off at, and they expect to see you at certain times and on certain days because of your work. You may even see them at work-for the same reason. But you don't really know them. You wish them well at the holidays, and you may discuss respective vacations, but there isn't a real personal relationship. Then one day, they get a new job, they retire, they move on.

Another friendship is the one we have with our those who are of our schooling or faith. The ones that call on us for just happy or sad times. For births, marriages, deaths. Sometimes these friendships may develope into more; but most stay within a certain boundary of 'church' or 'school'. We know them, but don't see them or even talk to them everyday. We know to call so and so if we need. We are available to and for each other but in the background. Sometimes way in the background.

Friendship will also show itself up between relatives-cousins who are close in age may maintain a friendship that started in their youth. Not always, but sometimes. It didn't in my family, but it can be close.

Then there are the precious friendships. The ones that develope slowly over time. The friendships that begin from nowhere and may drop in and out but are not lost. These are the precious few. They are the ones that are more precious than diamonds or rubies since they cannot be forced. These are the friendships that are closer than relatives. Where distance doesn't matter. Neither does hearing the truth, no matter how it makes you feel. The love in this friendship is an encompassing love-and support, it helps the other through rough times, even when you don't agree with the choices the other is making-you are there and that is all that is important.