Pope Yvonne - Celebrating friends: share, remember, cherish

Copyright 2011 - 80 - Flowers.com, Inc.
All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of reprints in the context of reviews.

Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC
an Andrews McMeel Universal company
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106

www.andrewsmcmeel.com

E-ISBN: 9781449408251

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011926177

Project Manager and Editor: Heidi Tyline King

Designed by Alexis Siroc

Produced by SMALLWOOD & STEWART, INC., NEW YORK CITY

Cover illustration by Robyn Neild

W hen I look back at the important events in my life, both big and small, I realize that I have shared just about every one of them with a friend. There are my childhood friends, the guys from my old neighborhood who still know me as Jimmy from Richmond Hill. We may not see each other on a regular basis, but when we do play catch-up, the years melt away and we settle into a familiarity and intimacy as only old friends can.

I also have business friends, people I speak with or see on a routine basis who challenge and support me professionally. Just recently, one of these friends retired, only to return to work a few months later. Why come back? I asked. He explained, I realized that I had fewer friends when I didnt work because I really had no reason to speak with them. I understood, because the relationships I have through work are among the primary reasons I enjoy what I do so much.

There are unlikely friendshipssome of my friends on Facebook and the people I meet on airplanes or at parties, such as the young man and woman that captivated my wife, Mary Lou, and I during a recent trip to Barcelona. We were presenters at the same conference, and an impromptu dinner date led to one of those glorious, magical nights that dont come along very often. The food was great, the waiters serenaded our table, and Mary Lou and I reveled in the hours of great conversation we had with these two young kids. That night was the beginning of new friendships that weve continued after returning home.

And then there is a friend who is closer than a brotheror in my case, a close friend who just happens to be my brother. Chris is 10 years younger than I, and weve worked together for 30 years. Lets just say that the guy knows me like no one else. He gets my jokes. He laughs along with me at my stupid mistakes. He keeps me groundedand he loves me, no matter what.

Because it takes all kinds of friends to get us through the battlefield of life, we at 1-800-FLOWERS.com thought it appropriate that a book on friendship be part of our Celebrating... series. It may be a clich, but friends really do make the world go round. I find that my overall well-being and happiness lie in direct correlation with how connected I feel to my friend universe. Hearing from a friend out of the blue always lifts my spirits and adds a little bit of specialness to an otherwise ordinary day. I hope this book does the same for you.

So go aheadraise your glass in a toast. Write that note youve been meaning to send. Call and check in on the friendold or newwho has been on your mind. Underline a favorite story in this book and drop it in the mail to a friendjust because. Thats what Celebrating Friends is all about: sharinging, and cherishing the people and relationships that matter most.

as a child, I would always tell my best friend at summer camp: A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words. JULIE K.

Animals are such
agreeable friends
they ask no questions,
they pass no criticisms.

GEORGE ELIO T

My best friend brought me a vitamin every day in first grade. Now, thirty years later, she's still the best vitamin around!

CANDY G .

All the world old is strange save thee and me, and even thou art a little strange.

ROBERT OWEN

Arabic ... sahib

Bulgarian ... priiatel

Catalan ... amic

Chinese ... peng you

Czech ... pratele

Danish ... ven

English ... friend

Estonian ... soprus

French ... ami(e)

German ... freund

Hawaiian ... hoa aloha

Hebrew ... yedeed(a)

Hungarian ... barat

Indonesian ... handai

Italian ... amico(a)

Japanese ... ami

Latin ... amicus

Russian ... drug

Spanish ... amigo(a)

Swedish ... van

Yiddish ... fraynd

The holy passion of friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money.

MARK TWAIN

No people feel closer or more friendly than those who are on the same diet. ANONYMOUS

Root beer and cornbread-thats the first snack I ever had at my best friends house. We were in fifth grade and lived in the same neighborhood, went to the same elementary school. I didnt even like root beer, but drank it anyway to be polite. The cornbread was excellent, though. At age 27, were still best friends, despite the root beer, which I still dont like. SUSAN

In honor of Friendship Day, Winnie the Pooh was named as the worlds Ambassador of Friendship at the United Nations in 1997.

A workplace without friends is an enemy.

THE WASHINGTON POST

Everyone can stand to make a few new friends. Try these techniques the next time you find yourself in a situation surrounded by new people: