What does the face of a friend look like? I am fortunate to have several friends in my life. so I thought to day I would tell you about my friends, Dr. Seuss style.
I have good friends, new friends, old friends and some blue friends.
I have far friends, near friends, school friends, dear friends.
I can see some everyday, I can see some on vacays
I can work with them at school, and we can act just like a fool.
I have friends that are related, I have friends I wish I'd dated
I like sitting on their porches, in their chairs, their swings, their couches.
I love looking for good deals, I love when their laughter peals.
They may wear some weirdo shoes, skinny jeans, or shades of blues.
When I look into their eyes, I see truth and never lies.
I am sad to see one cry, and I hate to say goodbye
I love to hold them tight, and I hug with all my might.
They are short and they are tall, some are fluffy, some are small
No matter how you see my friends, I will love them til life ends.
They have my back, they make me smile, they always walk that extra mile.
If I ever were in jail, they'd be the ones who paid my bail.
When my life is torn apart, they can mend my broken heart.
They know my story in and out, and are still my friends without a doubt.
So tell me now or do you know....the face of a friend.....with a friendship glow?
You know....you have to be a good friend to have one. Trust me, it is worth the effort. I truly am blessed with the good friends I have in my life. I hope you all have friends like these too. If you don't....then you need to get out and get you some.
I am fortunate to have several people in my life that I call good friends. Not everyone is as lucky as I am. But I started asking myself...just what is a good friend? How do you describe or define one? I sat down at the computer and began to write what I have to have in a good friend. When I finished I decided that everyone needs this list because it would help them pick wisely.
The first quality of a good friend is that they will tell you the truth (even if it's something you don't want to hear). Believe me...my friends have told me several things throughout our lifetimes together that I could have done without hearing...but I am glad they were brave enough to tell me. I truly would have rather known how they felt than not.
The second quality I came up with is that a good friend will hear you out. Just as important as being honest is being a good listener, especially when you've got something important to talk to her about. I can't tell you the number of times I have bent the ear of Amanda, Mary, Deborah, Jo...many of my good friends who were willing to sit and let me spout off. Amanda would always give me a pad of paper and a pen and tell me to write it down. Some of Still Magnolia's best works have come out of Amanda hearing me out!
The third quality is that a good friend will stand up for you...they ought to have your back. (Assuming, of course, that you're right. And if you're not, kindly refer to quality #1).
The fourth trait is that a good friend isn't just there for the fun times. They are also there when you're going through something tough - like family trouble, or the end of a bad marriage, the loss of a child, - your good friends are the ones who keep checking in on you. BTW...they are also NOT the ones who bail you out of jail...but the ones sitting there in the cell beside you said...Dang that was fun!
The fifth quality of a good a good friend is that they are someone you can trust. If you can't trust your friend with your secrets, then she's not a friend. (Nope...according to Websters dictionary....that would be your uh worst enemy). I have friends I trust so much....have spilled my guts to them...and they know, just like I do...that if we ever become NOT friends....I will have to kill them. They know entirely too much. Now...that is some more trust!
The last trait is that a good friend will apologize. Even good friends screw up sometimes. If your friend apologizes for her mistake, then she values your friendship more than she values being right all the time. Some people really have an issue with the being right thing. I am not one of those...I don't care who is right...or who is wrong...the friendship is what is important.
"Friendship isn't always easily described. The Eskimos, they say, have a hundred different words for snow. Unfortunately, the English language isn't quite as innovative, though it has vast opportunities to differentiate meaning. Certainly, Love is one of those opportunities. And so, too, is Friendship.
Instead of different words, however, we're stuck with simple adjectives. Close friend. Best friend. Childhood friend. Intimate friend. Trusted friend. Beloved friend. But whether you use adjectives or different words, few could deny the nearly infinite meaning in such a simple word.
Friends are special people. We can't pick our family, and we're sorely limited in the number of them at any rate. Society and mores (and often our own conscience) dictate we select a single mate. But our friends can be as diverse and infinite as the adjectives we choose. Our friends, in a very real sense, reflect the choices we make in life."
I want to share with you with a wonderfully simple poem about friendship by warmhrt. It is entitled: "A Simple Thank-You, My Friend"
Into the dim lit, bare walls of my world, You entered, bringing light and life to me, The vivid colors, painted with a swirl Of wit and charm, of personality, With tender care, you added comfort, warmth, And images that line the now bright walls. I look upon them fondly, bringing forth A thankfulness that you walk in these halls With me; our friendship has become a part Of my world now; it has its special place, Within my being, life, and in my heart, Your name hangs right beside your smiling face. Rememb'ring just how drab these walls had been, I have to thank you for the light, my friend.
So for all my bloggy buddies out there...sleep well and know that you have a friend.
"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." - unknown
In my life I have many degrees of friends. I have friends who have passed through my life during some event....like high school, college, raising kids, Boy Scouts, sports, etc... and I have had friends who have only been my friends a short while....yet it seems like they have always been there. I have a friend that I have known for over 40 years and we only see each other about once a year....yet when we are together....it is like no time has passed. We pick right up where we left off. She is like a comfortable shoe...and I know (and hope she does too) that no matter what happens....she is as close as a phone. I have work friends, church friends, music friends, singing friends, they come in all sizes and shapes.....but they are my friends and that is what makes them special to me.
At work, I have friends that I sing for, have coffee with, hug when they need it, blog with, and run around with. I read books they recommend, I drink coffee they suggest, I eat sugar cookies and tea cakes they make, I love these guys. They are good friends.
I have friends at church that I attend Sunday School with, raised children with, shared hurts and joys with, sing with, attend Bible Studies with (some of them know so much about me....that if they ever became not my friend I would have to kill them....just kidding). I have a special group I even did Beth Moore's Breaking Free with and shared stuff....I didn't even know myself. I have some friends there who know that if anything ever happens to Frank....they are to NEVER let me get married again.....and they will follow through....I know this. I also know I can call many of them....at any time of the night or day....and they will pray for me....hold me....help me however they can. There is a very special group....called the Praise Band....that is a group of friends that are almost like family.....we have been together for ten years and there is a bond there that is so very strong. I love them all. Rhonda and Rita are my special friends. I feel like family with both of them. I know they will pray for me....and that they love me....and I them....Rhonda's mom died Jan. 2nd....and her one request of us at the hospital was to bring her mom back....if I could have....I would have moved heaven and earth to do that for her....THAT is what a friend is....you see....I do know Rhonda's song....and while she is hurting....I will keep singing it for her.....til she can sing it on her own.
I have friends from my days in Florida. I still stay in contact with them....and am close....yet know we are different....because we have walked different paths. It is ok....and they are still friends....just a different kind.
I have several friends that I love like family. One of them I refer to as my sister from another mother....she grew up as a military brat....I was a native Floridian....but the commonalities in our lives are interesting. I actually kind of favor her sister....in a strange sort of way. She is my soulmate for sure. I have two singing partners I love like family....heck...one of them is family....she is my first cousin....but more like my sister.....we have a history.....her dad...and my brother died the same year....so she and her sisters became my siblings....and my dad....filled in the void for her missing father. Rebecca....just fit right into my life. She is a dear sweet person and I have loved sharing paths with her for the past several years. I can't imagine life without these people in it.
My daughter Kathryn is my friend. I can't imagine life without her in it. She can make my darkest day seem like a dream. Music is important in our lives....one of my biggest kicks is to be listening to the radio and call her when the song "The Mighty Quinn" comes on.....just as it gets to the part...."but when Quinn the Eskimo gets here everybody's gonna jump for joy." We both will giggle like school girls....tell each other we love the other....and the conversation ends.....now to me....that is the mark of a true friend.....someone you can be idiotic with. I have made many trips with Kat and her husband Brian and remember every detail....they were awesome trips....and again....music was a key element. When I lose my song.....Kat knows exactly where I left off....and if she doesn't....if it is a Whitney Houston song....Brian has my back. Talk about friends....how lucky to not only love your child....but like her too!
My life has a lot of music in it....so the quote using friends and songs....seemed like a perfect fit for me. I have those kinds of friends. I am a fortunate one. I have people in my life....who will not let me stuggle alone...they will be there to pick up my pieces and sing my song back to me.....when I can't remember how it went.....that is friendship.....that is a blessing!
