I believe in the power of friendship. Friendship is a concept and a term that we become familiar with early in life. Throughout life, we constantly are engaged and challenged with the idea of friendship. Yet friendship is an ideal that we strive each day to demonstrate and friendship is an ideal that we all depend on each day. I am thankful that each day, people in my life reveal the true qualities of friendship. I have learned so much about what being a friend truly means by observing others and being a direct recipient of their love and concern. Many times what friendship truly means becomes misunderstood. Friendship does not always involve a recpriocal exchange of favors or gifts or gestures. Friendship does not always mean doing something for someone else expecting something in return. Instead, I believe frienship means showing strength, care, compassion, and love for someone. Often, the situations and circumstances of life make it difficult to always show your love and concern for someone else. However, those moments are when the value of friendship is needed most.

I believe friendship is best revealed in those quiet, silent moments when someone who knows you, values you, and loves you is standing with you. Even when no words are exchanged, friendship fortifies the experience. I believe friendship means listening first and speaking second. Friendship is an investment best accomplished when the exchange between two people centers on life experiences complete with laughs, tears, and more importantly, those silents moments of agreement, disagreement, and reflection. I believe friendship means believing in the dreams of another person and playing a role in helping that person accomplish those dreams. Friendship means asking questions when you know something is right, and asking even more questions when you know something is wrong.

As we grow older, I think friendships begin to mean more. We find out who are true friends are through hard times.

I also think that sometimes people don't understand that friends do not have to have the same views and believes. I know people who can't be friends with someone else becuase that aren't christians or that aren't in the same economic class. I think a true friend lets you be who you are and loves you for your differences.

What do you think? Have you ever come across any of this in your life?

I like your thoughts on friendship.  I believe there are levels of friendship and opportunities for friendship.  For example, I might have a really close friend with whom I have few opportunities to spend time with and express and experience our friendship.  On the other hand, I can have lots of opportunities to experience friendship with persons I may not be so close to because of proximity.  How nice when proximity and closeness converge, but how rare that is.  I hope you have both with your friends.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts.  Mine are very similar today (great minds . . .).  Ford