phrase-requestssingle-word-requests
There may not be anything better than in my title, but I have an idea I'm missing something. Is there a good way of expressing close friends of a family. The original and closest friendship may be with a generation now passed on, but a family-like relationship still exists.
The best I can come up with is honorary aunt/uncle/grandparent, but that's a little specific.
Trim
Here's the ngram graph for "trim your lamps," "trim the lamps," "trim your lamp," and "trim the lamp."
The word good-neighbourliness exists, but neighbourliness is a synonym that's a bit less of a mouthful. Almost certainly there are widely-perceived connotations (an obligation to help someone in need - an obligation to help anyone in need) from the 'parable of the Good Samaritan' given by Jesus (94 million Google hits for who is my neighbor).
Best Answer
How about cherished friends, since you hold them dear and have a fond affection for them?
EDIT: Following @TrevorD's comment below I propose that the most suitable idiom is - like one of the family.