Always and Never

Always. Never.

What do these words mean?

Simple enough words - Two syllables, direct spelling to pronunciation, timeless in their application in our daily lives.

But what do they really mean?

For instance, two best friends, before parting ways to go to university, exchange a very teary farewell - they exchange gifts, exchange cards, each pledging to be best friends for always...forever... and that they always call and never forget to visit each other when they go back to their hometowns.

Of course this scenario is a girls only scenario. For guys the scene would be a quick hug, a few pats on the back, and a salute as the bus drives away... Less words, less outward displays of emotion, but nevertheless a quiet ache in the chest and a steely determination to always be friends, and never forget the bond brotherhood that had been forged.

Or even former lovers, as they forever part ways... The parting speech before they embrace for the last time, where each vows that they would always treasure the memories they had together, and that they would never forget each other...before they slowly part, turn, and walk away from each other.

The question is, how many of these always and nevers really do become a reality?

Or is reality the other way round?

When best friends at school/college become worst enemies because of something one of them thought the other one said...or because a girl/guy got in the way of the friendship? When former lovers do not talk or even acknowledge the other, and both not really knowing the reason why? Or even more common, when there are no concrete reasons, and friends just drift apart, gradually slipping from 'best friends' or 'brothers' to 'friends', and gradually from 'friends' to 'someone I used to know back in school/uni'.

How many relationships can stand the test of time, and claim the right to use the words 'always', and 'never'?

Perhaps that's something I'll always think about, but never quite know the answer.