Both excellent quotes,Michael. I think anyone who has at least one real,true friend is lucky beyond words and I guess we all have our definition of what a true friend is. For me,it's someone to whom there isn't a single thing about my life I couldn't reveal with total honesty,and knowing that there wouldn't be a smidgeon of judgement anywhere.

Marda nailed it pretty well

Ditto. One of the sad facts about old age, you tend to be left behind.