Life Itself

“The friendship that can cease has never been real.” - Saint Jerome

This quote haunts me because it causes me to realize how superficial many of my relationships have been. Many have entered my life only to leave at some point. In some ways, however, this isn’t always bad. There are some alliances that are meant to be temporary. If we remained in contact with everyone we met, we would soon have no time for anyone.

When we try to “lock in” or force relationships, we are compelling something that must be a choice. The best friends – our truest friends – are the ones that have chosen to remain with us and who we have chosen to stay alongside. These friendships which do not cease are real, genuine and authentic. They must be – by their very nature – few. But they are life itself.