Today’s guest writer is author Cathy Gohlke. Ms. Gohlke explores the tremendous value of women who form life-long friendship bonds with other women. Using examples from literature, the Bible, and her book Ladies of the Lake , Ms. Gohlke explores the meaning of friendship. She also describes the pitfalls that come between some friends and what steps may be required to overcome them. I hope you enjoy the article! Thank you, Ms. Gohlke! THE BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP AMONG WOMEN Women have always known that we need the friendship, companionship, mentoring and sisterhood of other women. We not only live and thrive daily in those relationships but find them celebrated and strikingly painted in the Bible and in literature. Don’t we love the close-knit bonds between Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi; between Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her older cousin Elisabeth; between Mary and Martha of Bethany; and between the women who stood at the foot of the cross as they watch...