Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

I had a long talk with an old friend this afternoon.  We've had years of hurried emails and strangled phone calls, as we were both busy with families and work, and thousands of miles apart, but now that she is retired there is that precious time to luxuriate in, and we could not just cover the basics, but indulge in some of the lesser stuff that actually makes us feel closer to each other.  I admire her so much, and how she's kept her integrity and carved a beautiful life out for herself.  She's a great writer, and successful, and I am proud of her and the determination she has shown.  Her enthusiasm, always her most attractive quality to me, is undiminished, and her writing demonstrates it.  She, many years ago, shared her passion for art and museums with me, and I've continued on with those pursuits, albeit with a local friend mostly these past few years.  She's fun, and that is a great thing in a friend, and intelligent and perceptive about literature and life.  I'm grateful for her friendship.