by Susan Lower

Created on: March 01, 2008   Last Updated: July 17, 2010

Friendship is...

a close bond between two or more people.

There is nothing in this world more valuable than having someone who cares about you. When it's three a.m. and the world seems like it is going to end, you can always call a friend. They'll probably grumble, tell you to go back to bed, and show up at your door a few hours later with an arm full of bagels and fresh brewed coffee.

Beyond your family, the special people you choose to become close to are your friends. They laugh with you, at you, about you, but only when you're present to witness this in good humor. Their goal is to brighten your day when your shadow is casted in blue.

No matter if it's your next door neighbor, or your grade school penpal, you can tell a friend anything. A true friend won't tell your secrets, listens with an open ear, and doesn't pass judgement over the milk you spilled.

When the storm clouds have gathered over your head, and the rain begins to fall. You can call upon your friendships to spread an umbrella over your head. Sometimes the sound of a familiar voice can bring forth a little sunlight on your day.

If you slipped in the mud, the hand of friendship will pull out. Maybe even throw down a coat to protect your sandal strapped feet from soil. Friendship has a way of dropping everything to aid you in your time of need. It's always there, close by, despite its physical distance.

You lend your favorite shirt for the sake of a first date. From hair style, to shoe color you give free advice. You stay up late, wait, waiting for the night's review. All at the cost of a good book instead of that great sale going on at the mall. Freindship can't always afford a phone. But it can produce a double date on occasion.

During our lifetime friendships will sprout, grow, and blossom. Some will fade out, change, and just run out of water and die. The number of friendships gained is up to you. If you're a social butterfly than your friendship belt bears many notches, but if you're reserved then perhaps you only have a few tucked in your pants. How many friendships we have is not as important as the depth of the friendships we endure. I'll always be friends with the people I hung out with in high school, but where are they now?

There is one friendship you will value more than the others - the best friend. Thinking of it this way. You hit the jackpot! A true friend, one you can share all your secrets with, is worth more than a million dollars.

Now that's a lot of boxes of tissues.

So when you look at the people around you, and you think to yourself, "Friendship is..." the answer is diverse. The friendships I hold today are far from the ones I had ten, fifteen years ago. While some of the people may be the same, new ones are waiting to cross the threshold from acquaintance hall. It's knowing when to let them in that defines us.

Let friendship post bond in your life and free you from the cold swirl of loneliness. One great friendship is worth three hundred acquaintances . The number is yours, here is a quarter - now get calling.

Learn more about this author, Susan Lower.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.