Spirit boosters

After work I took India and Heidi to see the ballet Coppelia in a special production for children by English Ballet with a narrator, the theatre was full of mums and daughters all dressed up to the nines. Both girls loved it but India was absolutely captivated. I dropped them for a sleepover at mum and dads, got the stuff together for a flat apple tart and zoomed off to Wales to see my friends for dinner.

I had the best evening with Debbie, Annie and Kate, friends for more than 15 years, that I met at vet school. Debbie had brought her 3 month old son with her and he was actually edible, my friends have such gorgeous children I find and I am instantly in love with them. It is as though my love for my friend expands to encompass their most beloved too. I was trying to blip how much I love these guys (and the missing Harriet, Miranda, Hannah and Cons Kate) but it all sounded too cheesey and not heartfelt enough. The Prophet however is perfect, especially, seek him always with hours to live. I left at midnight with my spirits well and truly soaring (and they had been well and truly flat the last few days) really just from the fact that I have these 3 in my life. I was definitely guilty of too much talking, I blame it on excitement at seeing them though!

And a youth said, "Speak to us of Friendship."

Your friend is your needs answered.

He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.

And he is your board and your fireside.

For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."

And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;

For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part from your friend, you grieve not;

For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.

And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.

For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.

If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.

For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?

Seek him always with hours to live.

For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.

And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

Kahlil Gibran