I must have a case of the Barbra Streisand’s “People Who Need People.”  Or maybe it is Bette Midler’s “You’ve Got To Have Friends.”  Because here I am back on that very subject.  Again.

Nonetheless….  You know how good it is to have a friend?

Well, dag nab it… I have to say it is one of the best feelings in the world.  Especially a very best friend.  True blue.  Dyed in the wool.  Honest-to-absolutely-goodness-kind-of-friend.

These types have been around a long time.  Way before the kids of today decided to call them as BFFs.  Big Freakin’ Fuss… is what those BFFs are.

A good friend, is what you call….. well… a good friend.  Old school.  No acronym will do the job… I’ll tell you.

Those are the ones that make you laugh so hard that you squirt milk out your nose.   They are the same ones who don’t mind when your eyes look like pink fatty marshmallows when you’ve been crying and crying.

Yep.  The few who will forgive you when you make dull-headed mistakes.  The same friend who cheers you on….. and is truly glad to see you make good in the world.

I have been blessed enough to have a handful of these in my life.   People I trust, and respect, and like, and love.

But a million times beyond that, I am lucky enough to have a friend who is my kindred spirit.  The one who has been by my side… through thick and thin…. for more than half my life.

There is a deep understanding.  An assurance.  A credence.
Like ….when those certain times arise in life.   When there is some kind of food that you are afraid to try… you can push it their way… and say… “Try this.”   And they say… “It smells horrible.  I’m not going to eat that.”   And you say…  “Oh c’mon.  I want to know if it is any good.”  And they say… “But it stinks.”

And they try it.  And then they make a squinchy-face and spit it back out on the plate.  And you both start laughing … and before you know it…. milk is squirting out of both your noses….

If we drank milk.  That is.

Best of all…. I am even more fortunate… because this person is my partner in life.  And my heart is glad for that.

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. “Pooh!” he whispered. “Yes, Piglet?” “Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw. “I just wanted to be sure of you.” ~A.A. Milne