A Priceless Gift

Friendship is a priceless gift
that cannot be bought or sold,
But its value is far greater
than a mountain made of gold.

For gold is cold and lifeless,
it can neither see nor hear
And in the time of trouble
it is powerless to cheer.

It has no ears to listen
nor heart to understand,
It cannot bring you comfort
or reach out a helping hand.

So when you ask God for a gift
Be thankful if He sends
Not diamonds, pearls, or riches
But the love of real true friends.

- Helen Steiner Rice

Having spent the past few days with a very dear friend, I have been mulling over the pleasure and sometimes pain of long term friendship.

This morning the 4 girls; three cousins who see each other rarely and Niamh who only sees one of the girls once a year if she is lucky, got up early and packed a rucksack with goodies and a picnic rug. They set off down to the loch and spent special time laughing and chatting and generally being carefree.

I was out on my walk when I heard their chatter drift across the loch - luckily I had my zoom lens on so their special time was captured without their knowledge.

Children are amazing in their capacity to get on with each other without reading problems into everything and letting "business" interfere.

Us adults should take heed!