Cape Karen
Friendship: a little word with big meaning. Webster defines it as. . .
"the mutual feelings of trust and affection and the behavior that typify relationships between friends."
Blah! How dry. In my book, that definition doesn't cut it, at all!
I would define friendships as ". . . personal lifelines; others who enable one to survive and thrive, in the face of even the most horrific of life events, with grace and dignity."
Or, ". . .a warm partnership that involves trust, loyalty, the willingness to compromise and never-ending perserverance."
Or, ". . .people with whom one has mutual goals and interests; those who together enjoy fun, laughter, acceptance, honesty, unconditional love, and who will share memories for a lifetime."
And of course, there's always that favorite description that says, "A friend is one who knows all about you, and loves you anyway."
In my life, I would not have made it without my friends. They were truly, and still are, my family. I learned all I learned in life by having a friend, and by being a friend. Some of the lessons were painful, and some were sheer joy, but they all taught me what it means to be fully human.
Because I had friends, I learned what it felt like to be hugged, how it mattered to my self-esteem to receive a heartfelt compliment; that I wasn't a "mistake" or a piece of meaningless junk. When someone remembers your favorite song, or serves you your favorite food, or sends you flowers 'just because,' then, you know that you are loved.
I am not a wealthy person; never was, never will be - but I am rolling in good fortune, because I have good friends. Not a whole lot of them, but enough - and they are truly a treasure chest full of pure gold to me. 
And, even though they are far away geographically, they all remain close to my heart.
You know who you are: so thank you for being my friends; and thank you for inviting me into your lives and your hearts. It means so much more than my words can ever, ever say.
Posted by Karen at September 27, 2005 1:24 PM