by Leslie Cole

Created on: February 21, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

The true meaning of friendship has many definitions. For each person it represents different fractions of light and love. To some friendship is just being there and listening, even if you don't want to. For others it is a life source that holds them together. I have had both kinds and I can tell you that the one that mystifies me the most is the true friendship that you only have once in a lifetime. I didn't understand what that was until I almost lost that.

My mother has always told me that I would understand the true meaning of friendship when I had daughters of my own. Well now I know that she wasn't full of crap. Recently my mom had open heart surgery and I was terrified. Not because I thought that I would loose her, but because there were still things that I needed to tell her. Like she was right! I was never really close to my mom and mostly I talked to my sister about things that I needed to know. As I have grown and matured, and you know that that has taken a while, I have realized that I wish I had turned to my mom more!

She has been ever constant throughout the good and the BAD times. I never told her that. So while she was in surgery I thought of a million things that I wish I wouldhave told her. I kept thinking, What if I never see her again? What if I never get to tell, and ask her things again? What if what if......

Well needless to say, she is fine and I have had the chance to ask and tell her many things that I have never said. I have given her a chance to judge me in the only way a mom can with her arms wrapped tightly around me as I cry and hearing her say, I will always be there for you no matter what. It is the most wonderful thing that I have ever heard in my life. Then when I think it can get no better she holds me away from her and says, "I have always wanted your friendship and now I feel like you have given me my lives wish." I look at her like she has two heads and laugh at her. I say, "don't you know you have always had my friendship?"

In my life I have always turned to you when I needed a emotional pick me up, I have always turned to you for life advice, and I have always turned to you when....... Wait maybe I have never said what you really needed to hear! Mom guess what I you are my friend. You make me want to do better things in and with my life. IF THIS IS NOT THE TRUE MEANING OF FRIENDSHIP I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS.

So for all of you out there wanting to have a friend remember that your mom is there just chomping at the bit waiting to hear one thing. Mom I love you and YOU are my friend.

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