How to tell who's a true friend

Today I'd like to share a quote comes from Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), the longest-serving First Lady in U.S. history. She held the post from 1943 to 1945, during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's unprecedented four terms in office.

It seems I discover a new great quote from Roosevelt every so often; I've featured roughly five of them already on this blog.

"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart."

I think this quote rings true for many of us. We have met more people in our lives than we can remember. And even though the passage of time, death, long distance, or other circumstances might bring certain friendships to an end, we never forget those who have made a positive impact on our lives.

Most of us will always have a special place in our hearts for our closest friends from elementary and high school, for example, even though we may have lost touch with them. Perhaps we shared special moments that are firmly etched in our minds and hearts. What's more, through them we may have learned life lessons that we've carried with us to this day.

If you remain in close contact with old friends from back in the day, consider yourself blessed. As we get older and our lives become more hectic, it doesn't get any easier to make new ones.

On top of that, true friends aren't always easy to find. Most of us have been burned in the past and, as a result, don't give our trust away freely. And rightly so -- trust should be earned.

How do you know whom you can call a true friend? It's simple. They're the ones you'll remember for the rest of your life -- that distinguished group of individuals you'll regale your grandchildren with stories about.

When you have a moment, call or text your closest friends and tell them how much they mean to you. Unfortunately, we can never know how long our friendships are destined to last, so we need to make the most of them now.

Once the chapter of a certain friendship closes, all you'll have are wonderful memories to remember that person by -- and the footprints he or she has left in your heart.

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