When my older son was in kindergarten, he came home one day and proudly announced that he had a new best friend at school. This, of course was good news to me. I wanted him to like school, and knew that having friend would greatly aid in this. I questioned him about his new friend's name. Calmly, he informed me that he did not know the name of his new "best friend". I chuckled and encouraged him to seek this information the next time he went to school.
Recently at the grocery, I was reminded of this story and of the fact that "the nut never falls far from the tree." A fellow-shopper commented that she really liked my purse. When I glanced at her shopping cart, I realized that our purses were exactly alike. We made the usual small talk about "great minds thinking alike." She then, using the purse as a segue, proceeded to share with me things that were going on in her life that she clearly needed to share. We talked for a few minutes, and then she went her way, and I went mine. As I drove home, I thought about her and her need to talk. I realized that I now considered her a friend---but I didn't know her name.
I may never see my new friend again or ever know her name, but I realized something about friendship that saddened me. My brief encounter with this lovely lady gave me insight into some of the issues that she was facing. Then I thought about how many friends, whose names I do know, who never take time to tell me what is really going on in their lives, nor do I share what is going on in mine. I vowed to endeavor to make sure that the friends-with-names have the same opportunity to share their needs with me as my friend-with-no-name had. I think that classifies as genuine friendship.
