Oh sister, my sister

When days are dark, look for your sisters be they biological or by choice

- Vicki Sleet.

As I inch closer to my 50th year, the notion of friends who arelike sisters has become more poignant and more precious than ever. At my bestie's recent 50th birthday celebration, I was struck by the length and depth of many of her friendships - some, like me, from childhood, some from each important decade of her life and even her cousins, who she refers to as her 'cousinistas".

Listening to the guests' words and sentiments, it became clear that she's the kind of friend whose love language is 'showing up'. People from all over the world booked flights to South Africa and then drove four hours to a remote location to attend her two-day party - because they, too, wanted to show up for her. It was really moving to see.