We want something in our lives so precious, so truly priceless. Something to take away the pains and strains of our daily lives, yet when we have it, we sometimes ignore it, neglect it, lose it or even abuse it.

We crave that release, that chance to be real in an unreal world, and yet in its presence we uphold our pretences. We make up our masks, prop up our posturing, and flesh out our facades on facebook.

We sometimes search desperately for a sense of inclusion in exclusive places, when we have walked past a hundred opportunities to connect in everyday spaces.

We yearn to belong yet forget to accept that in this community we already do.

This thing we look for carries neither border nor barricade to entry. It is as abundant in tin shacks as it can be in mansions. Race, age and gender are cast aside as it only asks of us one question:-

“Why are you the richer for having spent even thirty seconds with me?”

Friendship.

Friendship opens the doors wide open and says “Welcome”. It invites us to come out of the wilderness and into the warmth, and as our souls surrender into this hospitable haven, we become less scared of the hostility of the wilderness. We may even begin to embrace it.

Friendship allows us to let go of who we think we should be, so that we can become who we already are.

In the true African concepts of Seriti or Isithunzi, the dignified shadows of our significance overlap, and where they do it means that we have shared a part of the journey of our lives together and that has become holy ground between us.

When you wander through these words and peruse these pages and pictures, you do so as a friend. There can surely be no higher accolade given to any of us by any of us. So enjoy this journey of friendship. Cry, reminisce, dream, imagine and laugh, but above all remember.

Remember your friends and all that comes with being one, and may there be much holy ground between us all as we live significant lives in the company of each other’s friendship.

Steve