[pwd72s]

Yes, friendships are work...but worth the effort. I have a friend who has been a "buddy" since grade school. We don't see each other often, but when we do, it's like we were never really apart...conversation just starts up again where we left off.

He's now a retired airline pilot, he and his wife on a final leg of an ocean liner "world cruise". Every week or so, his wife would sent a list of friends an email about their latest port of call. Another friend of theirs has printed out all these emails, placing them in a folder to be given when they return to their Reno home. This guy asked me to write a "welcome home" message to be placed in the folder. Here it is:

"Dear Jim & Bev,
We think we cleaned up your place well enough that you won't mind that we enjoyed our Reno vacation while you were on the cruise! Thanks! Also, it was great of you to leave the credit card behind. We really enjoyed the floor shows! Love ya, and welcome home! Paul & Cindy"

I don't think that message would have been received well by a "casual acquaintance"...