This story is a quick thought on something my dad used to say to me over and over again throughout my years in high school.  I guess he noticed that I felt this fantastic never-ending bond with every last person that I hung out with in those days...and he would remind me of my naiveness by saying, "you will be lucky if you have one true friend as you grow older, Beth."  And I would defend my friendships to no end. I thought nothing could tear us apart. My dad has a lot of friends.  He knows a lot of people.  Everywhere we went when I was a young girl and presently, people seem to know my father.  But as the years passed....I discovered he does have "one true friend."  His name is Al.   When my dad goes out and hangs with the guys, Al was not always there.  Every dinner party and restaurant meet up was not with Al either.  Al and my dad are around for one another for the more serious sides of life.  My dad could call him for any kind of advice or help and he could count on Al.  Maybe not so much his golf buddies...but Al is his friend that is there to talk and listen when my father needs emotional support and stress relief...they could talk on the phone with one another so comfortably...closer than I see some brothers interact.  It is pretty special to know my dad has someone like that.   They have known eachother since they were in grade school....and Al is his "one true friend." I am a fortunate person.  I do not know if I took the "one true friend" comment as a challenge from my father...but I still have a tight group of girls and my boyfriend around me...who are all so good to me. Although the friend count has downsized from the high school days that does not matter one single bit. Parents do sometimes know what they are talking about I guess:)  ( I can say this now that I am a mom!)   But there is so much more meaning now.  I can count on these wonderful people for anything and I know that they feel the same from me.  More and more as I get older I understand what my father was telling me.  I sit back and think about my friends and realize not all are so fortunate.  It is good to take the time to share your appreciation with your one true friend or your few true friends.  It does not mean to buy them a gift...but if that seems to be fitting, find a time not surrounded by the holidays to do so. Write a note, frame a picture or a poem that speaks about your appreciation of your friendship. Just talk to them face to face about your feelings... because it is important...as I got older I find it more difficult to make friends.  Never take for granted the ones that are so true to you and will be there for you --not just during the easy times, but the tough times too:)  Just finding the time to spend with your true friends and making it a priority can aid in great stress reduction. My friends and I have a hard time synchronizing our schedules for an opening to just hang out and be with one another. I notice that our love is now primarily shown through our children and helping each other when needed. But when we do get that time to sit and talk and really be with one another...I can't even tell you how many times we have all said, "I am so happy we did this,"  or "I really needed this, thank you." Make prioritizing friendships a part of your new year's plan...if you have a plan. We are always talking about stress reduction at The Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing...and some true friend time is a simple way of finding yourself stress relief.     *Unfortunately, my dad's true friend Al moved to Arizona a while back.  Al is happy there with his family, so he will not be returning to Pittsburgh.  But I still stop by my parents house from time to time and I see my dad sitting at the chair talking casually and comfortably on the phone with a friend.  I can always tell when it is Al . They will keep this strong bond no matter how far apart they are.  It is pretty sweet.