One morning recently I stopped in at my favorite morning coffee klatch having noticed a familiar vehicle out front. It was fairly early in the day and knowing that my friend, the owner of the vehicle, had been battling health issues I thought it odd that he was there so early as he often slept in of late.

As I entered the store I saw him standing in his favorite spot talking to another early morning regular. I overheard my friend being asked, “So how are you?”

He replied, “Well, I’m hanging on by a thread.”

The other person gave a chuckle and raised his cup and said, “Here’s to you. I know what you mean.”

At first I was taken aback by the ominous portend of that statement, “Hanging by a thread.” But looking around the shop, what I saw were friends meeting as they had for years to talk and tell jokes and stories before they each went on their way for the day.

One of our tribe was battling age and disease but the feeling in the room was one of happiness that we all had this moment, as we had all the moments that proceeded it.

It reminded me of a visit I made with some other people to see another friend facing a similar battle. We gathered around a fire, told stories and sang songs, sharing a feeling of love and friendship.

I visited yet another dear friend not long ago who is possibly at the gates of Valhalla. But he showed no sadness, saying, “It’s been a good run.”

Sitting by the bedside we chatted briefly about our love for each other and for our long friendship.

I think I have come to understand the fragile thread that these and too many other friends are hanging on by. There is great joy to be found from living in a small community for many years, and there is also hardship. The hardship of loving.

But the warp and weft of friendship become the tapestry of our lives. These are the threads we hang on by, a series of indestructible ties that bind us through love, friendship and community.

Joe Keenan lives in West Tisbury.