I guess it all depends on whether or not the people want to work on the relationship. 

I think friendships come and go as we need them in our lives, but they aren't really lost. I have "friends" I haven't talked to in years that I could pick up a phone to call anytime and nothing would be any different. 

I did have one... but the end result, we don't have one any longer.

I have real troubles making new friend so the friends I have are my early childhood friends, yeah they're still my friends even if we've been afar for long time, when I came back to my country I just met my old friends and it was as time wasn't big deal...I'm just very very stable and tend to have very stroing non fickle feelings and relationships.

Yes. I grew up in Jacksonville and recently had a reunion with my childhood friends. I hadn't spoken to them in years, and yet, it was as if we were kids again.

Aristotle does justice to the topic of friendship in his "Nichomachean Ethics." He says that friendship is based on our affection for what is good, pleasant or useful in other people.

Nothing lasts forever. 

eh. I don't sweat it. If im friends with somebody, its cool, and if we don't talk then theres nothing you can do except move on. Ive learned to just be happy with who is in your life currently =)

I don't know why my friends keep coming over, but they do lol.

unselfish caring exists. relationships where you are the giving one and the other is the receiving - exist. true friendship is not selfish. sometimes you are closer than at other times in your life but a true friend is always going to be there no matter what.

what my sweet friend @itsmebriget21 said, in a nutshell! God Bless you! HUGS - Victoria

True, lifelong friendships are extremely rare. I have friends that I have known for more than half my life, but who, if there was big enough distance between us, might probably fade from my life. I only one or two friends who would never fade from my life unless I wanted it so.

Then there is most people, who really only stick around with proximity or some sort of mutual need. 

Then there are people on Xanga, who will loudly claim to be your friend but will forget you as soon as not see you.

I belive so, but it takes a certain kind of person. I've never had any freinds that were there continually.

a friendship is no different than a marriage....it's all about commitment.  If we lived near each other I think we would be.

They do exist. I've moved countries and states for my whole life. And till now I still keep in contact with my high school friends. Thanks to the 'group chat' in whatsapp.

Yes. I have at least one friend like this. It takes an effort, but it can happen.

Oh yes; such friendship truly does exist! The challenge is that it takes a lot of getting over yourself to foster its growth. Once it begins to grow, though, and the same root takes deep in two hearts, there it is for life.

I have never considered what having a lifelong friend would be. I don't think it's impossible to do, but I don't think it's common either.

There are few things that I believe in more than friendship, actually nothing. Probably the best thing about my life is the large and very close group of friends that I have. I think I've only lost 2 close friends in my life - one was a girlfriend and the other went to prison so I'll call those exceptions. As for everyone else, it doesn't matter if we don't see each other for years, when we do, we step right back into form. 

i think it's naive to believe that friendship without need exists.  no relationship is truly altruistic, least of all friendships.  

It seems not in this day and age.  They are hard to cultivate.  There a very few who are willing to invest in anyone other than themselves, or in anything other than the immediate, present time.  It is sad.  I am different, therefore I am saddened by the state of things in the world as it is.
Amish communities have the values that appeal to me.  Perhaps they have those kind of lasting connections you are speaking of.  People have to have shared values to forge lasting relationships.

The world is very messed up.  It's like it says... 'in the times of the end people will be lovers of selves', selfish, disconnected....
and empty.