The Art of Friendship

Friends of ours recently lost their beautiful Australian Shepherd, Gypsy . She lived a life full of love and happiness until her final weeks. Her owners gave her a wonderful life. Hundreds of us who either live in, or come to, Old Towne Orange regularly relish our time with Gypsy.

Gypsy introduced us to the couple who gave her a great life. In remembering Gypsy, I am reminded that nobody really dies until they are forgotten. And in that respect, Gypsy will live on for a long time through the memories we all have of her and through the pictures her owners took chronicling her life.

Gypsy reminds us of how love enhances our lives. But she also reminds us that she was a living art form: her personality, her markings, her voice, the colorful bandannas she always wore around her neck. All of us should keep our eyes and ears open for the clues that let us know when we have met someone special, like Gypsy and her owners.

We must always make time to stay in touch with our friends. After all, they are not born into our families. We choose them and they us. We share goals, views and tastes. Close friends become part of who we are. They are the color, the texture and tint of the paintings, the unfinished plays, the freeze frames that comprise our lives.

Spend some quality time with your friends soon.

Jim Hathcock