Christmas (along with  this season's holidays in general) is usually portrayed as a family event. But many people celebrate with friends, and perhaps feel even closer to them than to those who share their last names.

If you're feeling particularly sentimental about your true-blue friends this week, I'd love to hear your stories. I'm researching a book on how friends influence us throughout life, and would like to know if a friend has:

*Helped you through a health (or mental health) crisis

*Pushed you to achieve a personal or professional goal

*Led you to find your "true self" or core values

Kindly email me at carlinflora@gmail.com with your responses.I will let you know if I use your story in my book, and we can decide how you will be identified. (In that case, I will make sure you get a copy of it when it comes out next January.)

Thanks so much to anyone who replies. I hope reflecting on your life-changing friendship brings you a little more holiday cheer.