True Friends

I have been all over this country, right? I have met people from all walks of life. I have been immersed in many different cultures; and introduced to many different ways of thinking. One thing that I have learned all aross my travels, is the way we pick and choose our friends. I have had the same best friend for now a little over 5 years. Jeffrey has been through it with me; the ups, downs, turns and swerves we have been through should be placed somewhere between a major motion picture and a lifetime miniseries. Susan Lucci will play me if we air on lifetime; Kathy Griffin will if I get on the big screen.

My friends are have always been one of the biggest parts of my life. I dont really get along with my family, so most of the people that are my friends fit into a family space in my head. Huy, my little brother to torment (lol) Liz, my big sister (who torments me :-) ) Maia, my evil twin and so on and so on. Well, today, I got a big shock from one of my other friends. Someone who I thought was a very good friend, acrually stabbed me in the back, pretty heavily, to make herself look good to someone else. Normally, I would look the other way, move on and be done with it. This time, however, I am going to stand my ground. I find it very odd that someone could so easily turn on someone they call a friend. The people who are in my life that I call friends, should wear that title very proudly. It comes with strength, determination, caring and love. I will no longer stand to be run over, or mistreated by any individual on this earth. We are all here for the same reason, and that reason is NOT to bring hurt or malice to anyone elses life. I am really sick and appalled at the way people just through the use of the word friend around; its just like saying "sorry" when you really dont mean it. People need to be held accountable for their actions. My friends know, that in the event that I am wrong, or have hurt them, they will immediately let me know what I have done wrong.

People dont always agree on things; this is a given. But to bring intentional hurt to someone, just because you want attention, or need to feel good about yourself, is an evil thing. I hope that through all of this, someone will get the message that we are all in tough times, and that we need to be strong for each other, not just for ourselves.

I am going to define a friend for you, very simply: A friend is someone, who no matter what, tells you exactly how they feel, stands up for you, helps you in times of need and loves you unconditionally. At least, in my head, that's what a friend is. A friend takes you to doctors appointments, gives you apple juice when you have low blood sugar and picks you up off the floor when you have fallen and hit your head. These are the things that I remember happening. I would like too say thank you to all the friends in my life, the real ones, the ones who have stood by me through all of my troubles this year. The people who have loved me for me, and not what I can give or do for them, are the ones I am most grateful for.

Friendship doesnt grown on trees. You can fabricate it, you cant make it happen when Its not there. Just make sure that when you have people come into your life, make sure its for the right reasons. Make sure that people know what they can gain just by being your friend. Dont, however, let people take advantage of this gain. I have seen it so many times lately, people sucking the life out of others, for their own doing.

I want each of you, right now, to make a list of the people in your life that have done something good for you lately. Then, pick up the phone and remind them that they are important; that they are loved, and most importantly, that they are your friend.