By Ogova Ondego
Published April 23, 2024
Humans should not lose any chance to make friends, so says The Gift of Friends by Marion Stroud.
“Without friends, we cannot be fully human. We have to be, and to have, friends,” the book says.
Shared interests, pleasures, understanding, communication and support during times of trouble, make friendship a gift to cherish by anyone; human life is enriched as it is shared with others.
This book – like the others in The Gift of … series, is enriched by a collection of perceptive thoughts, words and writing which are illustrated with beautiful full colour photographs against a background of picturesque cloudy mountains replete with ice.
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The book tackles issues such as how to establish and maintain friendship, factors which undermine friendship and the benefits of close and warm friendship. It also shows how to make peace with your creator, God, and your friend in case you are tempted to talk ill of them behind their back. The importance of speech, listening, empathy and kindness, are also discussed in this book as integral ingredients to a successful relationship.
Though written from a Christian perspective, the book contains a collection of beautiful universal quotations on companionship which readily connects with many hearts.
There are also quotes from sensitive personalities, such as Ruth Bell Graham (evangelist Billy Graham’s wife), and Eleanor Roosevelt (a former US First Lady).
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The Gift of Friends says that when a friend is in trouble, we should not annoy them more by asking what we can do for them. “Rather, ‘Think of somethin’ appropriate and do it.”
This paperback could be a perfect souvenir or gift to a friend to mark important occasions in their lives.
Since a friend is one who comes when the whole world has gone out on us, we should treasure anyone who sticks by and with us.
Other books in the series include The Gift of Love, The Gift of Marriage, The Gift of a Child and The Gift of Years. Like The Gift of Friends, they are illustrated with attractive pictures.
