Friendships

Over the past 43 years, I have developed many friendships. There are many different types of friends. There are best friends, good friends, couple friends, acquaintances, and social friends.

I consider best friends as someone that I can tell everything to. Whether it be about marriage, animals, other friends, finance, family, or work, this person is totally willing to listen. Sometimes they agree with me and sometimes they are the voice of reason. Every once and a while, they play devil's advocate. Regardless, I feel I can trust them no matter what the subject, that they won't judge me and jeopardize our relationship. For me this person is my sister. She may not always tell me what I want to hear but she always is honest. I appreciate that.

Of the good friend variety, I am blessed with numerous girlfriends that are there for me and visa versa. From early childhood until present, I still am developing friendships. Notice I said developing. Just like a photograph. You capture the moment of opportunity, see the potential, tweak it till it's perfect, and then print it for all to see the beauty that has become a friendship. Time and effort yield the best results for any good relationship.

My husband and I also have many couple friends. These are folks that we go to dinner, ballgames, and other events with. Since we don't have children, they also generously share their families with us for holidays and special events. They are truly unselfish when it comes to allowing us at their most treasured moments. As couple friends, we are a package deal. If an event comes up and one spouse has a conflict, it is frowned upon for the available spouse to attend without partner. Don't know why this is this way, but it is. Accept it, love it, deal with it.

For social and acquaintance type friends, these are people you are constantly thrown into occasions with that you feel comfortable talking with. For instance at parties or sporting events, I have people that I gravitate to and hang out with. However, I would be hesitant to call them up and go to lunch or the picture show with. Strictly social situation type friends are what I consider acquaintances.

With all this said, friendships are important. They are not to be taken lightly or taken advantage of. This type of friendship is opportunistic and not really a friend. They are scavengers. Bottom feeders looking for a score. Sometimes, we are so desperate for friends that we accept the abuse and neglect offered to us by these type friends. We get our feelings hurt and become bitter. This is hard on a soul.

So treasure your friends, nurture the relationships, honor the code of ethics for friends, and never abandon a friend in need. Try to be what you want from a friend and enjoy life and all that it has to offer.

Love, Peace and Faith.

tmt

P.S. I have another category of friend to add. Roomdawgs are friends for life. They exceed normal friendship by leaps and bounds. They are your touchstone to what was the best time of your life. They know things about you that your spouse does not know. They are the ones that comfort you when things are rough. They are still the ones that you want to do those special things with. They are irreplaceable. The group is not complete without all four dawgs in place. I have been with my roomdawgs for 25 years. It does not matter if we don't talk for months, we can pick right back up from where we left off. It's easy conversation and always entertaining.

So in conclusion, all types of friends are important, but a true friend is a rare find.