Friends are important. Really important.
I was thinking about another benefit of friendship today when an acquaintance on the telephone began exploring deeply personal issues and crossing boundaries with his frustrations. I didn’t really know this guy that well, and I was a bit shocked at his behavior. Then it dawned on me, he is friendless. Although he has plenty of acquaintances, he has not confidant. Therefore a stranger, an animal, or a lightpost can take away his pain.
High times, toasts, and roaring laughter I often associated with friendship, but...