Love And Friendship.

Those two are necessary in order for us to lead healthy, content lives. They are two distinctive terms, but are somewhat intertwined as love is such a universal term and can not exist without friendship. Or the other way around. Our need to be in the company of people that love us and care for us deeply is just as vital as food, water and the air we breathe.

Just the other day I read about the importance of not feeling lonely or alone. In fact, if we do not choose loneliness voluntarily, the impact of it can be as destructive to our overall health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, shortening our life span by decades. In the modern western world, where a large fraction of the population lives alone, loneliness is becoming ever so palpable problem in our society.

The people that love me are spread all over Europe and at times I indeed feel alone. What I would not give to be able to meet them on daily bases, instead of being confined to mails, postcards, letters and online communication. Solitude, although a welcomed friend, can nevertheless feel impeding occasionally.

However, even though I miss true friendship constantly, the world of blogging has managed to fill in this lack of daily companionship. All of you that stop by here regularly have become my very good friends. I have never met you in person, but your candid concern, your interest in me and your attention and kindness has given rise to numerous friendships, so genuine and lovely that they can be easily compared to friendships one would strike in real life.
And for that I am thankful to all of you.

On the same note l would like to share with you the joy that I felt over a small package that arrived on my doorstep the other day. My lovely blog friend Claudia, the most kind and generous girl that lives on the opposite side of the globe in Guatemala, took the time and effort to send me a birthday gift. I lack words to describe the surprise when the postman brought me this unexpected package. Carefully packed in an embroidered pouch I found a handmade necklace, one that made my heart skip a beat.
Thank you dear Claudia - thank you for reinforcing my belief in the goodness of people. You are a treasure dear friend.



Finally I would like to wish you all a splendid August as I am looking forward to enjoy some weeks away from the online life, traveling and experiencing adventures with those I love.
These are my moments of happiness and I intend to savor them fully, as they are always so very fleeting and so elusive in my life.

And perhaps, this is what happiness is in life itself - elusive and fleeting moments...