<p class="bodytext">‘F<span class="italic">riendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.</span>’<br />–Muhammad Ali</p>.<p class="bodytext">The above quote can be modified slightly by adding the word ‘true’ before friendship. In today’s times, relationships crumble quite fast as they hinge on thin threads of mistrust, insecurity, and jealousy. Even friendships reach their expiry dates within years or even months if they are built on shaky ground. However, every parent wishes for their child to develop friendships with good people, as they bring positive influence in their life. In many Indian households, children have grown up listening to their parents or grandparents narrate stories about the eternal friendship between Lord Krishna and Sudama. In my case, my mother neither gifted me a comic book on this famous story nor did she narrate it as a bedtime read. My sister and I were lucky enough to witness such friendship at our home. </p>.<p class="bodytext">As a young girl, I was in awe of my father’s friendship with Raja uncle, as we fondly call him. He has been a regular visitor to our house for as long as I can remember. Here are two individuals who may not have been constantly in touch with each other over the last seven decades, but their friendship has managed to thrive despite gaps in time and space. This is probably because they communicated openly, followed through on promises they could fulfil, and most importantly, respected each other’s boundaries. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Research says that happiness is contagious among friends. Happiness, joy, and laughter echoed in every corner of our house whenever they met. Their penchant to walk down memory lane and reminisce about old incidents not only brought a smile to our faces, but it also helped us learn some important life lessons like positive mindset, resilience, forgiveness, and self-care. Subconsciously, my sister and I started emulating them by investing our time and effort in cultivating good friends. Likewise, we became mindful about staying clear of toxic friendships and people who befriended us with ulterior motives. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Both are 83 years old today but transform into young adults when they talk to each other, by cracking jokes and pulling each other’s legs. My sister recently clicked a photo of them standing on the doorway, and Uncle Raja was quick to comment, “Handsome old men with walking sticks in their hands but a smile on their face.” This joie de vivre attitude reminds me of this quote by an unknown thinker: <span class="italic">Best friends are the people in your life who make you laugh louder, smile brighter, and live better</span>.</p>
<p class="bodytext">‘F<span class="italic">riendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.</span>’<br />–Muhammad Ali</p>.<p class="bodytext">The above quote can be modified slightly by adding the word ‘true’ before friendship. In today’s times, relationships crumble quite fast as they hinge on thin threads of mistrust, insecurity, and jealousy. Even friendships reach their expiry dates within years or even months if they are built on shaky ground. However, every parent wishes for their child to develop friendships with good people, as they bring positive influence in their life. In many Indian households, children have grown up listening to their parents or grandparents narrate stories about the eternal friendship between Lord Krishna and Sudama. In my case, my mother neither gifted me a comic book on this famous story nor did she narrate it as a bedtime read. My sister and I were lucky enough to witness such friendship at our home. </p>.<p class="bodytext">As a young girl, I was in awe of my father’s friendship with Raja uncle, as we fondly call him. He has been a regular visitor to our house for as long as I can remember. Here are two individuals who may not have been constantly in touch with each other over the last seven decades, but their friendship has managed to thrive despite gaps in time and space. This is probably because they communicated openly, followed through on promises they could fulfil, and most importantly, respected each other’s boundaries. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Research says that happiness is contagious among friends. Happiness, joy, and laughter echoed in every corner of our house whenever they met. Their penchant to walk down memory lane and reminisce about old incidents not only brought a smile to our faces, but it also helped us learn some important life lessons like positive mindset, resilience, forgiveness, and self-care. Subconsciously, my sister and I started emulating them by investing our time and effort in cultivating good friends. Likewise, we became mindful about staying clear of toxic friendships and people who befriended us with ulterior motives. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Both are 83 years old today but transform into young adults when they talk to each other, by cracking jokes and pulling each other’s legs. My sister recently clicked a photo of them standing on the doorway, and Uncle Raja was quick to comment, “Handsome old men with walking sticks in their hands but a smile on their face.” This joie de vivre attitude reminds me of this quote by an unknown thinker: <span class="italic">Best friends are the people in your life who make you laugh louder, smile brighter, and live better</span>.</p>
