There is no friend like an old friend. I have found that the “friendships” I have made in my adult years are not really friendships at all. I have made many acquaintances, but nothing measures up to the friendships I developed early in my life. I think that generally, children are much more open and honest. Unfortunately, over the years, we learn not to trust others as freely as we did when we were children. Perhaps that is the reason that the closest friendships seem to develop during our childhood years. I guess a new relationship could never measure up to the relationships that have survived through decades of experiences, trust, and changing times. There are few things more joyful than sharing your triumphs with your oldest dearest friend, who understands how much the success means to you and genuinely shares in your happiness. Similarly, there is nothing more comforting than hearing the voice of your best friend during a family crisis, professional defeat, or occasional insecurity about your own worth. She can heighten your elation during the best of times and can brighten your mood during the worst of times. Although we live across the country from one another, my “best friend” and I still phone each other a couple of times a month, and we try to see each other at least once per year. When we get together, it’s as though no time at all has passed since our last visit. Best of all, we reminisce about the silliest things, and they still make us laugh.