Friendship arises out of mere companionship when two or more of the companions discover that they have in common some insight or interest or even taste which the others do not share and which, till that moment, each believed to be his own unique treasure (or burden).
It is when two such persons discover one another, when, whether with immense difficulties and semi-articulate fumblings or with what would seem to us amazing and elliptical speed, they share their vision - it is then that friendship is born. And instantly they stand together in an immense solitude." C. S. Lewis
I was reminded of what C.S. Lewis had written about friendship when, as we sat in front of the fireplace with three very good friends, there came this moment of "What? You too? I thought I was the only one", and we had something experienced in our own lives reflected back at us.
I may have been the only one who had read C.S. Lewis, but I was not the only one who had enjoyed spending the year's shortest day in front of a warm fireplace in the companionship of three like-minded spirits.
