The Light of Friendship

From the Idiosyncradeck Tarot, the Three of Cups; from the Answer Deck, Hope:

Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . ." ― C.S. Lewis 

          I've made friends in unusual places and situations, but the majority have been because of some common denominator. The funny thing is, once that relationship is cemented, other labels (like religious identity, political affiliation, race or sexual orientation) just don't seem to matter much. Which makes me wonder what would happen if we all looked for what we shared with other people rather than focusing on differences. Besides such relationships being a source of joy and fun, the Hope card gives another reason for keeping those friendships healthy and active. Everyone at some point will experience a dark night of despair. It's nice to have folks around who can act as a lighthouse to help you navigate your way.

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The 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 curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. ― Henri J.M. Nouwen