I’ve just returned from a hike.  In Switzerland.  Where the valleys were filled with all kinds of beautiful wild flowers.

And on my second day of hiking (while waiting for one of my very best friends in the whole world to arrive) I thought about friendships.

How like wildflowers, friendships are beautiful. Ever so precious.  (The short pink one would be my very best friend in the whole wide world.  So pretty and unique. Yet able to grow in difficult conditions, like on a rock!)

And unique.  Some friends are close for a certain period of time.  Or share a common interest or experience.  Some people will come and stay awhile.  Others will go.  And perhaps reappear later in life.  And pick up where they left off.  Like we just had coffee, er um a bottle of wine, yesterday.

But with so many to choose from, friends must be carefully picked. After all, they are fragile.  And need to be nourished and fed by everyone involved. Or risk wilting away.  Making way for bad weeds to grow.  At which point it’s best to let the friendship die.  Not because you don’t care, but because the other person clearly doesn’t. (Something I’ve realized as I’ve gotten older!)

But true friendships flourish. Even in the worst conditions. And the best. In all continents worldwide.

So when I arrived at my final destination, I lay in a field of wild flowers, enjoying the view, and grateful for the amazing people I have in my life from all over the world.

And the beauty of technology means we’re only ever a Skype call or email away. (But true friends, they get snail mail packages!)