Makhdoom's World Of Friends

"Seek them out for once they go to Hinglaj
You will never find them.
Leaving behind the comforts of the world
They surge towards the Ganga!
That Sanyasi who loves the delicacies of the world
Allah is far away from him.
They [who] do not sit down in the middle and rest:
Rama comes and meets them on the way."
...........Shah Latif Bhitai, Sur Ram kali, translated by Professor Butani

They are not quite my friends, but I know them better than many who are. They aren't related to me, but they might as well be. They are the close friends of my close friends, my friends-in-law.

Shah Latif Bhitai says:

"Mankind covets wealth; but all the day long,
Covet I the Beloved.
I renounce the whole world for the sake of that Friend,
Whose name made me glad."

"I yearned. Set a thousand suns.
Bereft the years I did spend,
Though I cannot suffer a moment's loss,
Of folk that I count as friend."

Friends aren't blind to your faults - but they can see beyond them.
A letter from a friend can make your day.
A friend will laugh at your jokes no matter how many times you repeat them.
A friend remembers the way you were, but won't insist you stay that way.
A friend never asks, "What did you do to your hair?"
A friend won't hang up on your answering machine, or when you put them on hold.
A friend won't tell you how to drive, no matter how white your knuckles get.
Friends love to give you surprise parties - even when you know what they're up to.
A friend is the only person who can make you laugh after a broken romance.
Eating out with a friend takes at least three hours.
Friends can be more patient with your kids than you can.
Friends know there is no such thing as constructive criticism.
Friends aren't interested in you're excuses - they're interested in you.
There is no bigger grin than that of a friend with good news.
When you ask a friend where they want to go to dinner, they'll choose your favorite restaurant.
A friend knows where your panic button is, but never pushes it.
Friends can tell the truth without hurting you.
Friends take very good care of your hopes and dreams.
A friend remembers your pet peeves...your favorite colors...the songs you like...and ignores the times you forgot to remember his/hers.
A vacation with a friend is not only more fun, but also less money.
Friends can turn arguments into laughter.
When you have doubts about yourself, call your friends, because they'll have confidence in you.
Nothing hurts as much as hurting your friend...nothing heals as much as being forgiven by your friend.
When a friend moves away, part of your history goes with them.
Seeing an old friend makes you feel whole.
With old friends you can remember your youth without trying to recapture it.
Friends are the best part of ourselves!!!!!