I have to say I am extremely lucky to have a close group of friends.  I  met my friends at different stages throughout my life.  I have close friends who I've known for over 30 years, friends who I met throughout my teenage years and friends who I  met through my children. The older I get I realize that it isn't the quantity of friends you have but the quality of friends.  Over the last several months, I have truly seen the importance of having friends.  My friends are people who I can rely on and friends who have been there through my highs and my lows.