Quote by George Eliot

"A friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away." -- George Eliot

I'm so grateful for my friends and for the thoughts of writers who can illustrate, so much better than I, the spirit of friendship, loyalty, honesty and fidelity.

Friendship is frail when saturated in the spirits of gossip, self-interest, and judgement... and will inevitably decay. I have known people who are baffled when the poison of their tounges, the cancerous jealousy of their hearts and the uncaring actions of their deeds who then wonder why communication, trust and fellowship do not exist. I've been that person from time-to-time, but usually find a means of humility and reconcilliation when I am in the wrong. Not so with everyone. Some find the channels of their egos spilling over with stubborn resistance to compassion and accountability.

If only friendship were as strong as steel. If only it never failed. If only the pain one causes another could be rectified every time, but an unwilling heart and smug insistance threaten the tender threads of friendship

Personally, I am guarded about with whom I share my life, my thoughts, my secrets. I am very blessed to have friends who are gentle, encouraging, humble and do not seek driving perfection from me. I am grateful for the generosity of their spirits to "blow the rest away"... It is a comfort to find the delicacy of friendship spoken truly in scripture, literature and in life...