by Mike Hazelwood

Created on: November 21, 2008

"Friends show their love in times of trouble..."

~ Euripides

In my walk of life I have had many good friends, and a few acquaintances that I will classify as so called friends. Specifically, I have personally learned a true friend will be there no matter what you are going through in life. I remember going through my divorce and I had many friends who would listen to me as my heart was being ripped from chest, and then there were those who would volunteer to help me out with my son who I was taking care of at the time. These are those friends who I hold dear to my heart, and I know he or she will be there when I need them.

"A sympathetic friend can be quite as dear as a brother."

~ Homer

A true friend will be sympathetic with you and not judge. Many are quick to judge you when you are going through troubles in life. A true friend will be sympathetic and hold out a helping hand when you fall down and are being drug through the mud. I have always heard that a true friend will stick closer than a brother.

"To know someone here or there with whom you can feel there is understanding in spite of distances or thoughts expressed that can make life a garden."

~ Goethe

No matter how far away you are away, and were you live, there is always that special friend who will be there that will reach across land and oceans to be there to help you.

I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy.

Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun.

~ Charles R. Swindoll

A true friend will bring joy and happiness into your life, but a friend can and will be truthful in times when we need them to be.

"Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same."

The above paragraphs are filled with many ways that friends have been there to help me along the way in life. A valuable lesson I have learned in life is when a friend falls down, we need to be there to pick them up. How many times have we been tossed around by storms in life, and we ask ourselves, "I's there anyone who is willing to lend a helping hand." Lending a helping hand is a must, for he or she that is being help will most likely repay the favor later on in our life.

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

~ Albert Camus

Learn more about this author, Mike Hazelwood.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.