Few days back I received an comment on my guestbook from a very old friend. Marta Therese Henriksen. During my stay in the US, we got to know each other quite well... and even we decided to get married so that I could apply for a US Working permit. Well... sometimes things don't always pan out the way we all want it and suffice to say that we had to part ways. For the past 5-6 years we had lost contact and it was very nice to hear from her again.

I want to introduce this woman who has always been a inspiration to me. She doesn't have much in the way of worldly possessions but she has the best thing that anyone person can have... have a heart.

We became friends, I dont know why ... maybe we were very similar, but I am fortunate that I did, because I would have lost a lifetime if I hadnt. Very passionate about her pets I hear that she recently has about 7 cats and three dogs, two of which I had seen them when they were born. One day... out off the blue, she came home and said to me Amit we have a dog as a pet. And that was it. We named her Ruby , possibly because that's what her name tag said. Ruby stayed on my bed more than I did. ... because Marta was allergic to dogs, though that did not lessen her enthusiasm for the dog. When Ruby gave birth there were nine of them puppies... and it was with great sadness that we had to give away about six-seven of them. The best moment I remember was the moment when the ninth puppy was born... almost dead... no breathing, and she just wouldnt give up. She blew air for a long time when at last the puppy was able to breathe on his own. I never seen a person so dedicated. We moved to a new and bigger place with all our kids ... the cats and the dogs.... and it was a good time.

Marta was big and taller than me.... wellnot by much but she was a little taller. We went to all places we could imagine. She had a Ford and we went to the mountains, did tons of camping, went places that I wouldnt have seen if not for Marta. 

We tolerated each other that's for sure... went to all the eating joints in Albuquerque... knew all the places where we could get all you can eat,,, enjoyed putt putt golf....made the silliest of jokes and she always used to laugh at my jokes. She was the first person who welcomed me to her parents house... and many many more. Little things big things... It was a good time ... if not for her my time would have been a drag.

Since then I have had friends and very good ones I might add. But none like her. Possibly because she was the only one woman friend that I ever had with whom I could be me. No pretensions...no nothing.

Sometimes I wonder about friendships. Like they say about love that it happens when it does ... I guess friendships too happen when it does. Defining a true friendship ....might sound very cliched...so I wouldnt even go into that realm. All I can say... that there are always people who you meet along in your lifes journey who you cherish more that others... when you spend time with them... when you are with them in the good times and bad... when you enjoy their company no matter what others have to say about them... when their decisions influence your decisions ... bottom line ... when the time spend with them will always be worth your time no matter how discourteous people are to you. I believe that's what friends are.