Being a friend

I've been reading As Always, Julia before bed. It's like a little piece of dark chocolate sitting on your pillow - such a delightful, sweet end to the day. I find myself, of course, charmed by Julia and Paul's life in Europe, but I'm equally smitten with Avis and Bernard's family life in Cambridge. 

Avis is this remarkable woman: mother, editor, literary agent, book reviewer, and most powerfully evident in this book, a remarkable friend. Through their letters, you really see how much Julia struggled with confidence in herself and her cooking throughout the writing of Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Avis cheered her on and buoyed her up again and again, for years on end. 

Selfishly, I want a friend like Avis. But I know it would be better to set my sights on being a friend like Avis.