"It is said that one should keep one's allies within view, and one's enemies within reach. A valid statement. One must be able to read an ally's strengths, so as to determine how best to use him. One must similarly be able to read an enemy's weaknesses, so as to determine how best to defeat him.
But what of friends? ....
....A friend need not be kept either within sight or within reach. A friend must be allowed the freedom to find and follow his own path. If one is fortunate, those paths will for a time join, but if the paths separate, it is comforting to know that a friend still graces the universe with his skills, and his viewpoint, and his presence.
For if one is remembered by a friend, one is never truly gone." Thrawn
I meditate on this often for i have clinging issues. I tend to try to oversaturate myself with the good people i do find. To allow freedom is the only wise way to keep friends and allow them time and room to grow. This mentality is death to the "cling"ons. But I also see the importance of when my path DOES cross the path of another. There are no coincidences.