gluten and other things

[MBombardier]

I agree with Linda, Tex. Another thing I appreciate is that you don't delete posts because they are "off topic", or move them and chastise someone for posting in the wrong place. The conversations evolve more like real conversations, and we all profit thereby.

I have been thinking about this friendship thread since I first saw it Saturday morning before going to a memorial open house for the mother of a friend of mine. The house was packed with people, and many of them (like me) came for my friend's sake, not her mother's.

I am thankful to be part of a community of people who spend a lot of time together. I know that in this forum we are scattered literally all over the world and we come from every walk of life. What works for one does not necessarily work for another. In my case, the community I am part of is a church. We not only worship together on Sundays, but we eat a meal together after the service every Sunday. We also come together to help out when there is a need, or just to have fun together, like our church campout every summer. Spending the time together that we do, we end up being pretty transparent with each other.

I think that as we get older it is harder to make friends because we are more cautious. But from my experience, once you determine that a person is probably trustworthy, taking the chance on being transparent with him/her is so worth it.

As many of you probably know, I am a big Facebook user. In my case, Facebook augments my real-world relationships. For example, it's so fun to see photos from the annual Christmas tree hunt that I go on with a bunch of friends, and be able to comment on them and see what other people have said about them. I would never use Facebook or any other forum, or texting/tweeting as my sole social interaction. I know that in today's culture that there are many, many people who do, and to me, that's just sad.

[Linda in BC]

Tex, such a small return to one who deserves so much .....

Linda

[Bifcus16]

On friendship.

Last Sundays lunch was a small group of school friends who all (bar one) turn out to live nearby. We had very sporadic interaction for the last 30 years - and some people hadn't seen others at all in that time. I haven't had as much fun in ages as just chatting with these folk. The amazing thing is the way the conversation can quickly go straight to the heart of things - very quickly skim over the superficial. One of the girls said she couldn't remember the last time she had talked with people who understood her sense of humour and none of us could believe how relaxed we immediately felt.

Having reignited those old friendships thanks to the internet, some of the closer relationships now look set to flourish in the physical world as well. It will be fascinating to see how it lasts.

Maybe it is because we all grew up in the same place at the same time, that we have defining growth experiences in common, and that is what makes the whole process so easy. Anyway, this week I am filled with wonder at that meeting.

It has even made coping with yesterdays trouble (house got burgled) so much easier.

Lyn

[Gloria]

Lyn,

I'm so sorry that your house got burglarized. I've heard that it feels like you've been personally assaulted. That's a pretty traumatic experience. I hope they catch the burglars and that you can feel safe in your home.

Your reunion sounds like it was just perfect. Good friends are the soul's nourishment, aren't they?

Gloria

[tex]

Lyn,

I'm very sorry to hear about the burglary, but it's always good to hear about a renewal of friendships that has such a profound effect on your enjoyment of life, especially one that leads to such a rapid renewal of a rapport established long ago. Sometimes fate smiles on us, and sometimes she frowns.

Tex

[MaggieRedwings]

The Heart of Friendship is so truly exhibited by the members of our board. I have been faced with a need to be on Facebook since that is how my DIL commuicates farom the UK. However, just being able to talk with someone face to face is more my cup of tea.

When I am on vacation, as I just was, I so miss my family and friends here. You truly keep me going.

Love, Maggie