The festive season is a way of keeping in touch with friends through a letter or message in a Christmas card and like so many people I was saddened to learn that many long-term friends, of numerous years, had died over the past 12 months. These sad losses made me reflect on the meaning and its impact of long-term interactions, and the importance of the chemistry of connection and values of friendship and memories that over years had been interwoven into one’s tapestry of life. Also, to reflect and accept it is inevitable that unless we live short lives, we are going to lose friendships particularly from the generation that came before us.