Let us not reckon without our Host.

In each of my friends there is something
that only some other friend can fully bring out.
By myself I am not large enough
to call the whole man into activity;

Congrats Norman and Steph!

I want other lights than my own to show all his facets...
Hence true Friendship is the least jealous of loves.
Two friends delight to be joined by a third, and three by a fourth,
if only the newcomer is qualified to become a real friend...

Of course the scarcity of kindred souls--
not to mention practical considerations about the size of rooms...
set limits to the enlargement of the circle;
but within those limits we possess each friend not less but more
as the number of those with whom we share him increases.

In this, Friendship exhibits a glorious "nearness by resemblance"
to Heaven itself where the very multitude of the blessed
(which no man can number) increases the fruition which each has of God.
For every soul, seeing Him in her own way,
doubtless communicates that unique vision to all the rest.
That, says an old author, is why the Seraphim in Isaiah's vision
are crying "Holy, Holy, Holy" to one another (Isaiah VI, 3).
The more we share the Heavenly Bread between us,
the more we shall all have...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
robot twin Friend!!

The Friendship is not a reward for our discrimination
and good taste in finding one another out.
It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others...
Like all beauties, derived from Him, and then, in a good Friendship,
increased by Him through the Friendship itself,
so that it is His instrument for creating as well as for revealing.
At this feast it is He who has spread the board
and it is He who has chosen the guests.

// C.S. Lewis, "Friendship," The Four Loves.