The fortuity of life is mercurial; but when it’s on the upswing it’s marvellous! And what could make today’s serendipity more beneficial than a balmy summer morn under a cloudless azure sky. It was in the grip of this unexpected Nirvana that I took off mid-afternoon with the windows down and the landau roof open along the ribbon of highway towards Renfrew County through the verdant fields.

There is naturally more to life than fine weather. What completes the cycle is our human relationships. Aside from partnership and family the most endearing tie is the one with friends. All of these associations occasionally suffer conflict.  The infrequency or singularity of these associations at times makes us ignore the commonality of their characteristics; specifically, that everybody no matter how related will at times have a falling out.  It is similarly at times only necessity that saves love and family. Friends by contrast have the privilege to endure the friction between them as long as they either enjoy the fight or until one or both of them has the intelligence to rise above the complaint. It is quite likely that by the time a reconciliation is made the reason behind it will be lost.

What matters in the end is the preservation of the relationship. Unfortunately some instances are more complicated than others. Yet make no mistake there is never uncertainty about the importance of the reunion. The nature of friendship is like any other deeply rooted alliance; namely, special and worthy. It is not often that we develop a friendship – and I reiterate that we always sense its difference from mere acquaintance – but when we do the bond is eternal.

The common diatribe of old fogeys is that all their friends are gone. It is an even more constant tirade than the loss of a partner or family member.  Not that friends are more important or more loved than partners or family but that their absence is felt more mindfully and with greater regret than remorse. Friends are in that respect like diamonds; viz., hard as rock, rare and easily misplaced if not careful.

And who has a lot of diamonds?  Keeping one’s gems safe and secure is a primary preserve.