The essential ingredient of a friendship at 50? Show up | Ranjana Srivastava

Quality time' has often been elusive through decades of heartbreak, illness, childrearing and work schedules. But this old familiarity of ours feels more precious than ever

You look upset, how can I make you feel better?"

The seriousness of the question and its sheer empathy stops me short in class. We are both teenagers in our first year studying medicine. Alone in this country, I juggle rent and meals alongside university, discovering that grit" is easier said than acquired. Not trusting myself to speak, I thank her with my eyes.