For My Friends On Friendship Day (August, 3)

 Dear all,  

It has been more than a year since the day I published my very first article on Gather. I must admit that when Leah first invited me here, I was somewhat reluctant to participate - because I doubted my capabilities, because English wasn't my first language, because I had so much other duties and responsibilities to take care for... etc., etc. But then I did find courage – or audacity – to post my “Russian Liberal”  piece – and never regretted about it, being so deeply, thoroughly moved by your warm welcome and your responses. And now, in anticipation of this special day, I want to honor and congratulate you all – those whom I knew since the very first days and those whom I came to know just recently, but who have managed to quickly win my heart, nevertheless. ;-) All these months, you were a source of great support and inspiration for me. Each of you is an unique, interesting personality, with your own talents, with your own inner world. I love you all dearly and owe to you much, much more than I could express in words, whether in English or Russian…. I wish I could meet you – each one of you – someday. Thank you for being there. Thank you for promoting the true “Gather” values – peace, mutual respect and genuine feeling of fellowship. You’re all in my prayers and in my heart – forever…  

Hugs and blessings, as always – 

Svetlana Goryacheva 

P.s. Below are some great aphorisms on friendship I have found when browsing through Internet. It is my little gift for you all:  

 

 

 

Friendship

Often we have no time for our friends
but all the time in the world for our enemies.

 

On the road between the homes of friends, grass does not grow.

 

A friend is rare book but only one copy is made

 

Friends are lights in winter;
the older the friend, the brighter the light.
~ Roger Roseblatt ~

 

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some stay a while and leave footprints on our hearts.
And we are never, ever the same.
~ Unknown ~

 

A friend is a gift you give yourself.
~ Robert Louis Stevenson ~

 

Shared joy is double joy. Shared sorrow is half sorrow.
~ Swedish Proverb ~

 

A true, true friend is like a rainbow after a storm.

 

If you have one true friend, you have more than your share.
~ Thomas Fuller ~

 

Friendship is God's special way of loving us through someone else.

 

Hold a true friend with both of your hands.
~ Nigerian Proverb ~

 

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart
and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.
~ Unknown ~

 

Friends are angels, who lift us to our feet when our wings
have trouble remembering how to fly.

 

A true friend is one who
Knows you as you really are,
Understands where you've been,
Accepts who you've becomes,
And still gently invites you to grow.

 

A good friend sharpens your character,
Draws your soul into the light,
And challenges your heart to love in the greatest of ways.

 

Friendship is
Sharing openly,
Laughing often,
Trusting always,
Caring deeply.

 

( http://www.angelfire.com/mi/peachypenguin/quotes/friend.html )