True Friendship
Over the past six weeks, I have experienced the profound love of so many family and friends, and have been so overwhelmed and humbled by the support that has been poured out to my husband and me. As I was going through some files on my hard drive, I came across this note that I had written sometime last year. It’s interesting to read now, based on what I have experienced, and know that I am truly blessed with amazing friends. If you haven’t told your friends that you appreciate them today, how about taking a second to do just that?
True friendship means always knowing the other person will be there.
It means they will always be honest.
Want the best for you.
Put up with your eccentricities with grace.
Do the things others aren’t willing to do.
Get there early and stay late.
Rejoice in your successes.
Mourn with you in your grief.
Laugh at your jokes.
Make you feel special when you don’t feel special.
Say thank you.
See past your mask when you are too afraid to take it off yourself.
Remember things.
Keep promises.
Make time.
Pray for you and with you.
Tell you if you have hurt them, and forgive you when you apologize.
Encourage you to pursue your dreams.
Always be on your side.
Extend kindness toward you.
Engage you in meaningful conversation.
Have fun and be silly with you.
Be themselves around you.
Inspire you to be a better person.
Teach you to expand your thinking.
Impart wisdom to you.
Recommend good books.
Love you unconditionally- true friendship means you know that you are safe with another person. That no matter how bad you screw up, they will still love you. For who you are. Not because you are an amazing, deserving person. Not because you are a good person to know, or will help them climb the social ladder. You know that these are the people who will never leave your life, no matter what. They are few, but those people are the ones who will walk through life with you, the ups and downs, and will be by your side through it all. You don’t need more than a few, but if you have even one you know how much they mean to you.
I am a 65 yr. old male and I have had only two friends in my entire life who barely meet the standards you have set forth. You are blessed if you have more than that.
Two is better than none!