Growing apart

I believe, in your lifetime, you may have two to four best friends, but lots and lots of friends. Best friends have to be VERY special and click with you in every way. Best friends never have to be asked, they know. They are always there, without asking, to help. They are always ready to talk and discuss ANY topic. In brief, they are the other half of you. Some folks are fortunate to find a best friend in a spouse. Sadly, some folks never have a best friend.
I have been lucky in my life to have had many good friends, and two very great best friends. Sadly, they have both passed away. I miss them dearly and think of them daily.
My friends have come and gone. Each hold special memories. So more than others. Some less. All have touched me in their way no one else could. The memories of some friends stay with me longer and deeper than others. Those memories are sometimes like a thorn you can not get out, so you body grows around it and accepts the thorn. I have one of those.
Singer Neil Young, from the "Crosby, Stills & Nash, Young" fame, wrote a song years ago. The words go like this:
"One of these days, I am goin' to sit down and write a long letter to all my good friends and tell them how much I appreciate them being there for me."
Well, I am doing that now. Good friends, thank you for being my friend. I realize I can be difficult at times, but you stood by me and I appreciate that. If we have drifted apart, I am sorry. If I offended you, I am deeply sorry. If you offended me, I forgive you. The memory of your friendship will live on in my heart