Relationships are fluid, and that includes their duration. Some are meant to be short lived, while others are more sticky and permanent. The key is for us to be fully present in our relationships, regardless of their duration. I have learned that some beautiful relationships can be very brief, yet they were exactly what they were meant to be. The trick is to recognize this in real time, not just in hindsight. Gratitude for the other person seems to be a way to make this possible.