I have this idea with me for a very long time: I would take all my friends and put them in a very big book and just sort of put them all in one place. Maybe for reassurement? Certainty of having these people in my life?

And if it were a public matter — would that be ok? (don't we sort of make friendships public, more so in the digital, internet age than ever before?) I've found friends in people whom I first intellectually admired; I've become friends with friends of friends. There are friends that I've shared more than half of my life with; and I know who my oldest friend is. And some friends are gone; and some friendships — not gone, but in need of care and attention.

Friends are good.

But is it okay to let go of friends?

If this were a public matter —

and the love?