Make new friends, but keep the old . . .

This summer, I reconnected with many childhood friends.  I had brunch with a high school classmate and her daughter.  We hadn’t seen each other in years and had a wonderful time filling each other in about our lives.  I went to dinner in Boston with friends from California who were dropping their daughter off at college.  They were nervous and excited for her as she begins this new chapter in her life.    I also traveled to my hometown in Connecticut for a mini-reunion with three of my best friends.  The four of us meet at least once a year to catch up, reminisce and share lots of laughter.  It is wonderful to be able to pick up where we left off so many years ago as if no time has passed at all.

In my book, Sandra Cahill’s Best Friend, Emma and Sam reconnect several years after high school, unsure if they can reestablish the bond they shared in tenth grade.  While I was working on this (my first) novel, I felt like I had a whole new set of friends.  Each day, I couldn’t wait to get home to jump back into Emma and Sam’s world.

I also enjoy reading about friendships.  Throughout literary history, authors have created memorable characters who confide in and rely completely upon each other only as best friends do.  A few of my favorite books feature some of literature’s most iconic characters and their steadfast companions.

Anne Shirley and Diana Barry  — When red-haired orphan, Anne Shirley comes to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables, she discovers that “kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”  One of the most important kindred spirits in Anne’s new life is Diana Barry, her neighbor and best friend.  Anne and Diana share their hopes and dreams as they grow up on Prince Edward Island and remain bosom friends throughout the entire series.

Scarlett O’Hara and Melanie Hamilton — Scarlett and Melanie start out as romantic adversaries competing for the heart of Ashley Wilkes.  But then shots are fired on Fort Sumter and the war between the States begins.  United as sisters-in-law, Scarlett and her nemesis face Union soldiers, the burning of Atlanta, devastating hunger and Reconstruction.  Through all of these trials, Melanie becomes more important to Scarlett than she cares to admit.  In the end, Scarlett realizes just what a great friend she had in her former rival.

Jo and Meg March —  Sisters, Jo and Meg March, also confront difficulties brought on by the Civil War.  They wait anxiously at their Massachusetts home for news of their father, who has gone south to help the Union soldiers.  Although the March family does not have much money, Mr. and Mrs. March’s four little women are rich in other ways.  Jo and Meg support each other through their daily trials and tribulations, setting an admirable example for their younger sisters.   When Meg marries Mr. Brook, poor Jo fears she will lose her dearest friend, but the sister’s devotion to each other remains strong as they enter the world of marriage, children and running their own homes.

Nancy, Bess and George — Intrepid girl detective, Nancy Drew, depends on her best friends Bess Marvin and George Fayne, to help her solve many of her cases.  Although they are cousins, Bess and George have little in common.  Bess is pretty, blonde and feminine.  She is often frightened by the dangers she encounters while following Nancy in her adventures.  George, on the other hand, is an athletic brunette, who relishes coming to Nancy’s rescue when she gets herself in a tight spot.  Although Bess and George are little more than stock characters, their loyalty to Nancy is genuine.  The titian-haired sleuth is lucky to have such faithful friends.

Harry, Ron and Hermione —  Like Nancy Drew, Harry Potter, has two trusty friends at his side to help him solve mysteries at Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley befriend the orphaned boy with the lightning bolt scar on their first day of school.  Together, this awesome threesome, stand up to the snobbery of pureblood Draco Malfoy, rail against the unfair attitudes of Professor Snape and battle the evil influences of Harry’s arch enemy, Voldemort.  They also share adolescent angst, academic challenges and romantic dilemmas as they come of age during their seven years at Hogwart’s.

Fortunately, these literary friendships will live on forever in the pages of their respective novels.  I too am fortunate to have made many lifelong friends.  Following the sage advice of the Girl Scouts, I have always been inspired to make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold.