This week I was visited by a wonderful old friend.
She is exactly 12 years older than me which,
being one full cycle of the Chinese horoscope,
is apparently very lucky
When I first moved to Tokyo,
a young stranger blinking in the bright lights of the big city,
she gave me a place to sleep,
a fellow English girl in Japan
(Let’s not talk about the fact I had only known her a week,
and ended up staying in her spare room for four months.
I was nicknamed ‘the little squatter’..)
When I wanted to change jobs,
she gave me awesome career advice
over a bagel on a park bench
(and then introduced me to my next boss)
When I left the city for a round-the-world voyage
she let me leave all my junk at her place,
and lent me her beloved suitcase
When I returned from my adventures,
tanned and exhilarated but with nowhere to stay,
she opened a bottle of champagne,
threw me a party at the cutest little restaurant in town
and gave me her key (again!)
When she had her first baby girl,
she made me her godmother.
What a gift.
She has an amazing talent for making small things feel big and special
and is so generous with her energy and kindness.
I wish everyone had a friend like her.
Yesterday she came to visit.
We caught up, told stories and laughed until late.
My turn to pour the drinks and give her the spare bed.
I am not sure if she realises just how treasured she is.
Where would we be without friends?
Have you thought about yours lately, about why they are so special to you?
