What did Jefferson and Adams realize as they starting writing each other again?

The two men realized that their friendship and sense of purpose had never really been so far apart. They saw that although they had differing opinions on a number of issues, it was their commonalities that linked them together. In their correspondence, we see two old friends focusing on the happy times.... we see two old friends preparing for death and thinking back on both their accomplishments and mistakes. In Adams own words, "While I breath I shall be your friend."