Battling depression, losing his job, going through break up after break up... my friend of sixteen years took off to South America and forgot about returning home. We called each other whenever we could and I watched him from the other side of the world through my mobile phone screen drown himself in alcohol and lose himself with drugs. He was lost. I thought he wouldn't make it home. I just wanted to reach through the screen and hug him, tell him how wonderful his friendship means to me.

My friend made it home and we continued to stay in touch. Friendship without judgement on both sides is a powerful love.

I sent a Giving Key with the word HOPE on it from Australia to him in Canada with these words on a note:

In dire times you can lose joy, but you can't lose hope. Hope is your guide.  -Paulo Coelho

I wear the same key. I have hope for him and I think he now has hope for himself.