by Laura Farnsworth

Created on: March 16, 2009   Last Updated: March 18, 2009

Friendship

There are many ways to define a friend and friendship. A friend is not someone you pass on the road everyday or in the hall of some corporate office. A friend is not someone you speak to on a daily basis but never know their name.

A friend is someone that you met at some point in your life and was needed at that time. It could be a person that you have never met, but have talked to a 1000 times on the phone. Or, maybe it is someone you met and instantly you had common threads; been through similar experiences or other coincidences.

The point being is that you never know who will turn out to be a friend and who won't. For example, I am pretty to two of my sister in laws. However, the first time I met them, they were friendly but not kind. I'm not sure if that makes sense or not. I knew right away that the oldest didn't like me. The other slowly warmed up and she and I became friends. Only one problem, my husband's first ex-wife is her cousin, so that makes things a little awkward. The older one eventually started to talk. Our husbands work together so it just seemed to work out that we started to talk.

I'm still friends with both, but knowing how they feel towards my husband does make life awkward. However, they are family.

We always have our best friends as we go through school. I had two that come to mind, Melissa and Deanna. They were my best friends through elementary. Through high school I can only think of a few, Edith and the two Theresas. They were the ones I went to football games with and the movies.

However, once I graduated and started working my friends changed. Dede was my clubbing buddy when I moved back to Dallas Metroplex. Annette, Linda, and Maryann were my buddies in West Texas. Cheryl, Betty, Carlie, Cookie, and Chuck were my buddies from The Associates. All were and still are good friends and buddies. Cheryl and Betty were closer than most; Cookie more so than others. Aundra and Diane were my friends at Safetrans. Sherri was an enemy at first, but turned really good friend.

I guess friends come at all points of your life to fill some void or need at the time.

My mother however has been my best friend since I was 14. We've shared secrets, margaritas and many tears and lots of laughter. She was my birthing coach, my critic and always a shoulder when I needed it. The relationship I have with her is one I've tried to develop with my daughter.

God puts people in our paths to help us through rough spots, to give us support, lend an ear or maybe for us to be there for them. A true friend is one that stands beside you no matter how angry they are at you, no matter what time of the day or night, and no matter how far away, you can pick up the phone and call. They meet you for a cup of coffee just to let you vent. They tell you when you are wrong or just stupid. They tell you when you are being mean or they just sit quietly with you while you cry. They tell you when you are making a mistake or that it is okay to take a chance. My mom has done that for years, and my friend Jean, who I have only know for about 5 years does the same.

I thank God everyday for my family and friends. I miss not seeing them everyday or talking to them everyday, but through it all, think and thin, I know that I can pick up the phone and they are or would be there for me in a heart beat.

So be careful of the people you meet. You never know when God will put someone in your path that will save you in some way, form or fashion. Cherish them deeply and thank God often.

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