by Terri Woodard

Created on: April 21, 2009   Last Updated: April 22, 2009

Friendship is so different now, then what it use to be. There was more meaning to the word FRIENDSHIP. Now it seems that you have to put everyone through a test just to see how real they are. I have a 17 year old son who's quick to call someone a friend. One day I got so tired of it that I asked him to define the word friend and to explain to me what he thinks a real friend should be like. He really could not answer my question. So I challenged him to look up the word friend and to let me know if that describes his so-called friends.

To me a real friend is someone who's trustworthy and someone who will be there for you through the good times in your life and the bad times. Someone who likes you just the way you are and never try to change you. I feel that a friend is some one who can see you doing well in life and even if they are not doing so good, they are still happy for you. A friend is someone who is honest and wont let anyone or anything hurt you or bring you down. A friend treats you with respect and never gets you to do anything that you do not want to do, especially if its wrong or illegal. A friend is like a sibling....I think someone that you just met will not be qualified to labeled as a friend.

A true friendship should have history just like any other relationship. I wish the young people today could really experience the blessing of having a real friend. The funny thing is I had a lot of people that I associated with on a day to day basis but when it all balled down to the wire, I knew in my heart that all those people was not good for me. I can truly say, I am 33 years old and I can count about 4 people in my life that I can truly call my friend. We are all grown up now and have our own family, but no matter what, we are still there for each other. We may not talk with each other all the time due to our busy schedules, but that is what's so special about true friendship. You don't have to talk to them everyday, all day or spend every minute together. But you know in your heart, If you needed them for anything or just need someone to talk to, they would be there for you. So don't be so quick to call someone a friend. Stop and ask these questions to yourself:

1. How long have I know this person?

2. Is this person someone I could trust with my most private secrets?

3. Could I count on them if I was in need?

4. Are they elevating me or bringing me down?

If you answered no to anyone of these questions, then I would rethink before I label them as a TRUE FRIEND.

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