You’ve Gotta Have Friends

Published July 9, 2016 | By Brownell

friendship2 This post is in tribute to friends. Old friends, new friends; Friends who are nearby and friends thousands of miles away. Friends who are no longer with me and friends who just joined my journey. Friends who I haven't seen in a long time and friends across the world who I may never meet in person.

Thursday was such a lovely day with a new friend. Hours and hours of neverending conversation that could have continued for hours more.

The joy of discovery.

It was almost like one of my favorite movies, My Dinner with Andre, that could have been recorded for others to watch. We covered so many topics, explored so much ground, it was exceptional. Macro to micro, discussing everything from funny stories from the past to matters of life and death. It was lovely. And not just because we were sitting outside in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

The magic of friendship.

alone2

I spend a lot of time alone. It's a choice, really.

I woke up this morning thinking, I wish someone had told me early on, "You're going to live an unconventional life. You'll never marry or have kids like most people. You'll have a lot of challenges you will have to face alone. But it's all good. It'll give you freedom to create, to explore, to invent, to learn."

Like this Dr. Seuss quote from an exceptional book, "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" In many ways, it was the inspiration for my own children's book, "Sometimes I Wonder."

Yet even when we spend time alone, it's still all about love…

As Wise Men Once Said
What Matters in the End
Does the Love You Receive
Match the Love You Spend?

So here are some songs in tribute to friendship, from Bette Midler to B.J. Thomas, Randy Newman and more.

Bette Midler classic…