We wouldn't ever sit down and pretend that our friendship didn't

Hear me, O children of the future, for I shall speak of a truth that reverberates through the corridors of time—a truth known by every soul who has loved, lost, and learned the fragile nature of friendship. These words, spoken by Keren Woodward, offer us a deep reflection on the changing tides of human connection. "We wouldn't ever sit down and pretend that our friendship didn't fall apart back in the late '80s. It wasn't like there was a massive bust-up. We just drifted apart." In these words, we find the acknowledgment of something many have felt but few are willing to admit: that friendships can sometimes fade, not through grand conflict or betrayal, but through the slow and subtle passage of time.

Consider, O seekers of wisdom, the nature of friendship. It is not a fixed bond, unchanging through the years. Friendship is a living, breathing entity, one that is nurtured by time, experiences, and mutual respect. But just as friendship can grow and deepen, so too can it fade. Not always in violent discord or dramatic clashes, but often through the drifting of hearts and minds in different directions. Keren Woodward’s reflection speaks to the quiet reality that friendships do not always end in a loud confrontation or betrayal, but sometimes simply in the gradual drift of life’s currents. This is the kind of loss that is hardest to bear because it happens so quietly, so subtly.

In the ancient stories, we hear of friendships that were tested by great battles, by dramatic events that tore apart the bonds between men. Achilles and Agamemnon had a great falling out, one born of pride and anger, and their friendship was shattered in the heat of battle. But the greatest of friendships are those that are tested not by moments of explosive conflict, but by the inevitable distance that grows between souls. This is the sorrow that Woodward speaks of—the drifting apart that happens when two people grow in different directions, not because of anger or hatred, but because life leads them on different paths. Friendship may not always end with a great confrontation, but it can still end in a quiet, painful separation.

Consider the bond between David and Jonathan, whose friendship was one of the deepest and most enduring in ancient times. Yet, even their bond was tested by the circumstances of fate. Jonathan, the son of a king, could not always walk the same path as David, the future king of Israel. Though their bond was strong, their lives moved in different directions, and in the end, David had to continue his journey without his beloved friend. But even in their separation, their friendship remained unbroken. It is not always the dramatic ending of a friendship that defines its strength, but the ability to remember and honor what was shared, even when paths diverge.

This is the lesson of Keren Woodward’s words—that sometimes friendship is not lost in moments of great conflict, but in the subtle shifts of life. When two souls, once intertwined, find that their journeys have carried them apart, the bond may not break, but it may become something different. The connection remains, but it is no longer the same. In this way, we see that friendship, like all things, is subject to the flow of time. It is not impervious to change, and it is not always guaranteed to last forever. But the memories of what was shared can remain, as a treasure that lives on in the heart.

Let this truth guide you, O future generations: friendship is a gift, but it is also a journey. Do not take it for granted. Nurture your friendships, but understand that sometimes, despite your best efforts, friendships may change. Just as Woodward’s friendship with her companions in the '80s drifted apart without dramatic conflict, so too will you face moments when connections begin to shift. And while these moments may bring sadness, know that the memories of what was shared—the laughter, the support, the love—remain with you, woven into the fabric of who you are.

The lesson here is simple: value the friendships you have, for they are not permanent fixtures. Honor those relationships that bring you joy, but do not cling to them in fear of loss. Friendship is a living thing—it grows, it evolves, and sometimes, it fades. But the strength of a friendship is not measured by its duration, but by the impact it has on your life and the way it shapes who you become. And when the time comes for friendships to change, honor the past with gratitude, and know that there is always room for new bonds to be forged.