Friends Forever

During the Swallow's school years, it was the 'in' thing to have one's friends pen their thoughts or well-wishes in an autograph book.  These well-wishes can be as simple as 'Thank you for being my friend" or "I am so glad that you are my friend" or "May all your wishes come true", etc.  Sometimes, friends with creative juices may come out with some form of poetry or a poem to express their well-wishes in a more elaborate way.  Alternatively, one can also memorise and use popular poems or quotes that caught one's attention.

The Swallow remembers one such poem...

True friends are like diamonds, precious and rare,
False friends are like autumn leaves, scattered everywhere.

Who wrote this?  The Swallow doesn't know.  At that stage in the Swallow's life, the Swallow thought the poem was right, and she had aimed to be a true friend to her friends.  Is the author of the poem correct in his / her assumption?

When the Swallow followed her Lord's call to Singapore, she left many friends behind in Malaysia.  Some of those she befriended in Singapore have left for the USA, Australia and New Zealand.  In a few days, a couple of her friends who came over from Malaysia, one of which had been her friend since her early secondary schooldays, would be leaving for Canada to start a new life.

Based on the poem, all the friendships would seem false.  Everyone scattered everwhere.  However, over the years, the Swallow has come to realised that the only thing right with that particular poem was that it rhymed.

Some of the Swallow's friends have stayed in touch.  When the Swallow visits Malaysia , these friends would meet up with her for a meal or simply to chat and keep up with the changes in their lives.  Some friends' contacts were inadvertently lost but when contact was made again, there was much rejoicing.
 
Of course, there are some friends who fall into the category of 'may not meet again'.  Such is the way of living in a global society.  Many roads to travel.  Many paths to take.  More often than not, such roads or paths may not connect with others'.  However, with the advance in information technology, this may change.  Friendships may be renewed, although it may be in another zone.
 
Friends Forever was a song made popular in the late eighties, and it is a good description of what friendships should be...
 
FRIENDS FOREVER by Michael W Smith 

Packing up the dreams God has planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can't believe the hopes He has granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong.

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say "Never"
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends.

With the faith and love God has given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you'll live in
Is the strength that now you show
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong.

If the Swallow may rephrase that particular poem mentioned earlier, it would go like this...
 
All friends are like jewels, precious, not rare,
Treasure them forever, though scattered everywhere.