In an insightful fwd. from my cuz, I realized that friends come into your life for a season, a reason, and a lifetime.   

-Some friends are seasonal; they only come around for the good times (hence for a season).  As reality has it, life isn't always good and fun.  Naturally, these friends don't usually last.

-Others are at least more productive or efficient and become part of your life for a reason.  They bring you purpose or you have a common goal.  These could potentially become the next category of friends.

-The rare and unique ones are the lifetime friends.  These stick it out with you through all the crap;  good times are simply a perk.  They are good listeners (or readers in some cases), go anywhere for moral support (even in spirit when physically impossible), develop so many inside jokes that you don't remember its root story anymore, and I'd hit anyone with my bow and arrow for them.  The best part of this kind of relationship is that it MUST go both ways.  Lifetime friendships last for as long as I choose to keep them.  You reap what you sow right?  I'll be the best friend I could possibly be to those who would do the same for me. 

That's enough wisdom to share...

El Fin