Thankful for Friends

If it weren’t for the select sentient beings in my life that I hold dearly in my inner circle, my days would have passed very differently especially these past few years. I am not one for collecting acquaintances and then deluding myself into thinking these people will stay the course of the journey through time. Some will fall by the wayside, sometimes not through want of trying but just because…

Yet, there have been a few rare occasions where there comes along a person who I gel with well to the point that I know I have their full trust as they do mine. I can talk freely without fear of being judged; I can divulge certain truths about my life and expect support or advice rooted in sincere intentions. Those type of friends aren’t many and so I treasure them.

When I think about it, I’d say that my closest friends are arguably those I’ve come to know over the last ten years ever since I vacated my position as wife. Those wonderful humans have consoled and cajoled me through thick and thin. I’d like to believe I’ve reciprocated too primarily because we’ve all had shared experiences which not everyone else would understand.

In my twilight years, I know I will seek out my friends to keep me sane. I will look to them for company on those days when I would like to share an experience with someone be it a day out or even a holiday abroad. Their friendship doesn’t feel burdensome or unauthentic. It’s organic and wholesome and unfettered. We simply get one another without having to explain.

Friends are one of Allah’s blessings and I say “Alhamdulillah” for giving me quality friends over quality. I don’t need an entourage of people claiming to like me. It’s enough that my small but close circle of friends and I have a healthy inter-dependency and mutual respect. Meeting them at regular intervals for a coffee is tantamount to having a wellbeing check-up at a clinic. Actually, I’d say it’s even better! There is no anxiety beforehand and I definitely leave feeling uplifted.

I pray Allah allows those special bonds to endure and flourish in every conceivable situation, through life’s ups and downs.