Friendship - the different flavors

I had just opined "Life is full of relatives - keep distance from them and stay close to your absolutes (friends)" all puns intended.

In the past few days I have had an encounter with many facets of the special bond that we call FRIENDSHIP. I won't call this a relationship cause unlike the cliched relationships this is self nurturing, involves no compromise and is always enriching. A win-win situation in most of the cases.

Life has been quite a game in the past few months with both my spouse and my kiddo having some injuries at the same time. Kiddo had stitches on his arm and was back to normalcy but my poor DH had two of his toes fractured - result immobility for 6 weeks - more than enough to drive any sane person crazy.

It was during this time that one of my friends who made a trip to India from Newzeland- came all the way to Hyderabad for a Day and then came home to meet Satish. I am not sure if we had the opportunity to tell him how much it meant - the visit - because we were too busy in our little banter, but it did mean a whole lot. His trip and his thoughtfulness of coming to Hyderabad in the first place and ensuring he came home and met us since we couldn't go really meant a whole lot. Friends are these people.

I am just wondering if he would have been a relative - he wouldn't have come to Hyderabad - even if he did he would have a hazaar things to do so no time to meet up. We felt really good about this whole hearted gesture - the little things that we do to keep our friendship alive - we shall always cherish. PKG this is for you :)

Then there is this group of married women that i have befriended on a social networking site. I have not known any one of them earlier and have got introduced in there by fluke about 2 years ago. Did it add meaning to my life - yes would be a small word - a whole lot actually - to really know what contemporaries go through across the world gets painted in front of your eyes like a huge painting in a wide range of emotions and colors and i began appreciating the diversity of thought. The camaraderie we built and the bond that we cherished is beyond words.

I had a chance to meet a few of them over this weekend - it wasn't as if i was meeting strangers - it was as if this is a college reunion - actually i might feel more awkward at a reunion - felt more at home with these ladies. These people who made the most of the UTOPIA called Internet to add meaning to each others lives - thanks to you ladies I experienced a totally new flavor of friendship - TIA this is for you :)

I won't say all my friendships have been this enriching, that would be untrue. There have been some that have faded with time. Others that have been lost in the battle of egos and more such demons that stay implanted within us. There have also been some others that have just transformed into acquaintances from friendships - the result of non-proximity or changes that have happened to both me and the friend across the years.

However while i enjoyed them they were as fulfilling as the current friendships that i cherish. They were probably meant to change in order to keep the equilibrium and enable both the parties to make more friends.

This is just an ode to this wonderful bond called Friendship - The above is just a mention of the most recent occurring. If i were to list all the moments that touched me, they might be so many that i will need to write a book. For now am thanking GOD for these wonderful prized possessions and am praying that he keeps them coming :)