My Friends!

I know, it’s been far too long…hope some of you are still reading! During my hiatus, I’ve been thinking about a deceptively simple concept: friendship. People who know me will agree that one of my best assets and failings is that I am unfailingly loyal to my friends. While this means that I’ll always stick up for them and support them as much as I can, it also means I have allowed those I consider my friends to treat me poorly, making excuses for their behavior.

See, I consider the basic tenets of friendship to be loyalty and caring, having similar interests, doing things together, and treating each other well. I realize that’s a simple list, but I think there’s not a lot of complication to being a good friend—there shouldn’t be, anyway. It’s this last part, treating each other well, where I’ve allowed others to take advantage of me in the past. Friends call you back, friends make time for you, friends seek you out not only when it’s convenient. I’ve actually “fired” a few former friends—though ironically, they don’t know it because I haven’t heard from them in so long.

I think I’m sounding too bitter, though, and I don’t mean to. What I’m trying to say is that instead of letting my feelings be hurt by the actions of those whom I considered friends, I’d rather surround myself with those who want to be with me and show me the respect of a friend. I know we all lead busy lives and have hectic schedules, but if we don’t continue to cultivate our friendships, they will go away. It’s a special relationship that has to only be rekindled every few months or so, and it usually springs from having spent a lot of time together in the first place. They do exist, but most are like plants, to use a simple simile. If you don’t cultivate them, water them, look in on them to make sure they’re getting enough tending, they wither and fade. Even a cactus needs to be looked in on every so often.

So, to all my friends out there, I apologize for not having given you something to read in so long. You keep me going every day. You make me happy when I hear your voices and see your faces. You make me a better person. I’ll try to practice what I preach and be better about keeping in touch. I know I’ll hear from you and I know you’re thinking of me even if I don’t see you there. Have a great day and know that I’m thinking of you and I love you all.