“Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” – Anais Nin (February 21, 1903 to January 14, 1977) [From my new friend Mare B., today!].
Nin was famous as a dairist and as one of the very few female writers of erotica of her time.
“A friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing… not healing, not curing… that is a friend who cares.” – Henri Nouwen (January 24, 1932 to September 21, 1996) [quote fom thinkexist dot com; dates from Wikipedia].
Nouwen was a Dutch-born Catholic priest and writer of spiritual works popular for both Catholics and Protestants.
Each of these quotes touches on the nature of friendship: the joy in meeting and making a new friend, and on what a friend is called to do in difficult and painful times.
I wish you great and caring friends.
Andrew Shattuck McBride, Writer's Blog 