Kindness from the Other Side of the World

"No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth."
― Robert Southey

Earlier this week, I needed some advice from my steadfast friend.  But she was on the other side of the world in Southeast Asia.  Given that it was early afternoon in my time zone, I figured it must be the middle of the night in hers.  Hoping that I was wrong, I Googled, "What time is it in Kuala Lumpur now?"  I was right -- it was just past 1 a.m.  Obviously, I couldn't reach out.  Less than an hour later, I received a text from her.  "Can u talk?" I texted back.  Yes, came the reply.  It was 2 a.m. in her part of the world, but you would never have known it.  We talked.  She gave me her perspective, which she has been sharing for three decades.  When I asked her whether she was going to sleep before her morning meetings, she replied, "Oh, I'll rest a little" with less enthusiasm than she shows over a Saturday afternoon nap.  It was as if it was the middle of the day and she had all the time in the world for her friend, whom she good-naturedly ribs about thinking too much.

One of the definitions of steadfast in the dictionary includes "a sureness and continuousness that may be depended upon."  Even from the other side of the world.