The Value of Friendship

The definition of 'friendship' is the tendency to desire what is best for the other. Other traits of friendship include but not limited to sympathy, empathy, honesty, mutual understanding, a supporter in times of good and bad, a good listener, and someone who makes you happy and is there for you when you are sad.

As we age our friendships become fewer but stronger I think. Being single does not help in the frienship department. When you become single you start subtracting friends from your list. Its like a death in the beginning they are hovering (some just looking for gossip) and then poof they are gone! The couples you used to go to dinner with - gone. The girl friends you used to go to dinner with - some gone. Do I carry an ugly cloud around with me? Have I drastically changed? I can still eat, but I have lost my status as a couple.

I have had a draft of this friendship blog for quite sometime. I am really negtive about friends right now and didn't think I should post that. It's true some friendships were destroyed because of my husbands actions and that really was hard for me. On the flip side of that, I have new friends that have filled that void and made me see what it means to be a friend. It is all of the above and so much more. I have an old acquantenance that has blossomed into a great friend, a wonderful supporter, and a good listener. Then there is a friend that is 20 years my junior who is a riot and a half. I love her to death - we get along famously and she is part of the family now. I have my bff from Kindergarten!! We will always be there for each other - thru thick and thin was our saying from long ago and it remains true many many years later. I only wish we lived closer to each other. My life is full of many great friendships of all shapes and sizes.

What prompted me to write and change this post from a negative to a positive was a friend who I haven't seen in probably 20+ years friended me on FB and said I was beautiful! Well that made my day! We talked on FB and texting pretty much the whole day, and here was this friend who hasn't known me since high school saying the nicest most sincere things I have heard in a long time. I was touched by his kindness, sincerity and humor...he hasn't changed a bit. Here's to you Rich!! :) You're the best.