For a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.

Wise words once said:

"People come in and out of your life for a reason. Sometimes, a person will come into your life for a pre-determined period of time. In that time, your relationship with that person is meant to teach both of you some lesson. You are meant to glean knowledge from that person and give knowledge to that person. When that is fulfilled, the relationship may part ways."

This same person also said

"You can count yourself blessed if you have 5 true blue friends. People who would bail you out of jail in the middle of the night. "

these words in some version of what I have written were uttered to me over countless emails, Instant messages and phone conversations.

I recently reconnected with this friend. We have been slowly trying to reconnect all year. but I sent a note yesterday afternoon as I was dealing with the last person that she worked for and really identified with her need to move on with her life. I respect her more now than I did before and I didn't think that was possible!

She's a really great woman. Most of the women I choose to have in my life have similar qualities. She and I have the possibility of being twin souls. In fact, we had many friends and collegues who used to refer to us as "sisters". While we look nothing alike, we always have many similar ways of thinking and our view points are similar. It's truly a sympatico type of friendship.

My reconnection yesterday was like someone threw me a career lifeline. Someone who truly understood where I was coming from, without my having to painstakingly explain it. I needed that life belt desparately and that email from her, meant all the world.

There wasn't anything spectacular about it to be honest. Any other time, I would have been happy to get it, responded accordingly. The usual. But given my career and romantic issues in the past few months, her email targeted some really key things as she always knows how to hit it right on the head.

The fact that we have never met in person may come as odd to a few of you. But this friendship has withstood almost 10 years ( give or take that 1 year dry spell...lol) .

I have a number of friends that I can count on. All have different things that are strengths. But most of female friends share one major thing - we are independent phenomenal women. Regardless of the path that we choose or the path that is chosen for us.

To quote her again:

"I love how you keep faith and seek guidance when lost. God will ALWAYS put you back on the right path. Those who we've lost along the way will guard you as they are angels.

Keep your chin up sweetie. You are a beautiful soul, inside and out."

To my friend when she reads this - Thank you always !