What are these people we call "friends"? Who are they? How are they defined? How do we find them? How do we make and keep "friends"? How do they make us feel connected? What makes you feel 'connected' to your friends? I'm curious to know what others think about this.
I have been giving this a good deal of thought since I first read it.
ReplyDeleteMy best girlfriend has this to say, and I happen to agree:
A friend is one who will ALWAYS tell you when you have a booger hanging from your nose or food between your teeth.
THAT takes a LOT of love!
Hmmm, I have a most wonderful friend. She has been my friend for over 20 years.
ReplyDeleteWe have the same values, which I think is a necessity for a close friendship.
Another trait that is very important to me is that she is absolutely genuine. She never plays mind games or attempts to manimpulate or expects me to read her mind, etc. VERY important to me.
She's also kind and giving and level-headed.
We are currently thousands of miles apart, but keep in touch via I.M., email, and phone.
I came here from Philippa's blog -- and I love her answer. :) I agree with Maria's too, though I would add I do have some friends with whom I have differing values -- but we do share some, so perhaps that helps.
ReplyDeleteHow do I feel connected? Shared experiences. Love and care and concern for them. Talking or e-mailing: and if we haven't communicated for a while we can pick up as if no time had passed at all.
How do we find them? God only knows. Seriously. The chancest encounter [lift at uni] led to my best friend. It can happen anywhere, anytime.
Hope that helps.
To me a friend is someone who has seen me cry; seen me mad; seen me happy and sad, and is still around.And vice versa, can't be onesided!
ReplyDeleteAnd someone I can call at a moment's notice for encouragement, commiseration or help. And vice versa again!