What is a friendship? How is it obtained or maintained? A friend can be defined so many ways....an acquaintance, a member of a group, a companion, someone who provides a listening ear or crying shoulder. A friendship can be long lasting or short lived. We have a few close friends, a few distant friends, a few true friends, social friends, online friends, and a few friends with alterior motives. But we all have friends! (And if you think you don't....join Facebook!)
Why the sudden not-so-deep thought, Afton? I don't know....I guess in the last few months I have been learning a lot, asking questions, paying more attention, looking places, trying new things. I guess I just feel like reflecting on it. I have met a lot of people over the last few months. Really good people. Really good friends (or at least I think so). Lots of colorful, full of life people with all kinds of personalities. People who are accepting, and bring you right into their crazy, fun little group. Co-workers, or people I
used to work with. People I sing with. People I dance with. School friends and/or extended family I have reconnected with. People who are willing to listen, or wanting to talk. Or even just acquaintances that you only see on a rare occassional moment, but you know there is a sub-level of friendship you connected at. Seriously...it happens! I saw a gal who used to be a regular patient at my dads office, and although she didn't recognize me at first because it had been at least 6 years, when I told her my name she jumped for joy and gave me the biggest hug ever and we chatted. Now the conversation only lasted about 10 minutes, but that was a strong sub-level connection that I will always remember and therefore be a type of friend in my mind. I think if you have an open line of communication, just about anyone can be your friend. How you maintain it or view that person, past the initial contact, is completely in your hands.
So often I think and so often I see how wonderful other people/ friends are to me, I wonder, how I am in return. What kind of friend am I? I am not perfect by any means. And I know there are some who probably feel I am a lousy friend. But to any of you who think that, please reconsider? If its any comfort, I am always thinking about ya! ;o) Honestly though, if someone called me when I was half asleep in bed, and just needed to talk...I would pull myself outta bed, get dressed, meet you and I would listen. If someone just needed company and didn't want a single word spoken, I can sit in a comfortable silence (really, I can, I have done it). I would meet you for a Happy hour so you can unleash your woes. I would bring you soup when your sick, or get giggly, goofy and happy for any wonderful news and take you out for a celebration of you. I think I am a fairly decent friend, but I also know there is room for improvement.
Friendships can be tricky. Some people abuse the friendship, the one-sided kind of friendships. Ones who might have an alterior motive. Some who unknowingly start a friendship thinking one way and leave thinking another. There are boundaries and limitations that sometimes get crossed. How should friends handle those friends, those situations? Million dollar question, right? I guess, just be who you are? Argue with them? Ignore them? Cry and get over it? Let the friendship fall by the wayside? Everybody is different. There is no right or wrong answer. It is sad to lose a friend, its not the choice I would want to make. So naturally, if someone came to me with a perplexing situation, my unsolicited advice would be, try to make it work or come to understanding. And don't forget the apology! ;o)
Perhaps most of this is nonsense and ridiculous babble.....but.....for some reason I felt the need to write it down.
