Friendship

The word “Friend” itself brings warmth inside me, a smile on my face and a sparkle in my eyes. Who is a friend? To me at least, a friend is a very special person. A friend is someone with whom you can break your boundaries and be yourself. You can trust them completely. A friend is more than blood relationships. You can call them anytime you want, do anything you feel like and be you. It is because; they are the people who have understood you completely.

All my friends are a paradigm of friendship. But such friends are hard to find. I am so very lucky to have a few of such true friends to whom I can cling on to. My friends worry for me, feel happy for me, and are there for me at all times. They serve as pillars of my life. Friendship is based on TRUST. If there is a breach of trust, then the pillar itself starts wobbling. Then your life collapses. You need to rebuild your life and it takes a very long time.

I don’t let go of my friends that easily. The rift happens when you expect everything from a friend, and the other person does not want to reciprocate. But then, these were people who had been reciprocating all the while and one fine day they decide to be otherwise. Else, how would I have become friends with them after all? They would have been the ones who were desperate to become my friend, and once they come to understand my weakness, they make use of it. They take advantage of my friendship. They feel that, I will always be there for them, come what may. No, they are wrong. I stoop to the lowest level to get it going. But, at some point in time, there comes a realization in me that there is no point in proceeding further with such a relationship. Then I decide that it is time to move on.

The agony you need to go through at such times is harrowing. The wound might heal, but the scar remains forever. I take friends that deeply. Once bitten, twice shy. So, I tend to suspect people who want to be really friends with me. Various thoughts come to my mind. I ask myself questions like, “Do they want anything from me?”, “Is that why they want to be friends with me?” etc. Sometimes, you lose out on real friends because you become over guarded. No one likes to be friends with someone who lays rules and protocols. Friendship knows no boundary. I feel like an excited child, when I am with my friends.

John Leonard said, “It takes a long time to grow an old friend.” Of course, it is so true. Only your true friends follow you till the end. They don’t expect anything from you and they always wish well for you, wherever they are, and however you are. There is absolutely no necessity for a friend to share everything that happens in her/his life with you. But, whatever they share with you must be true. From childhood, I had a special meaning for friendship. I remember, some of my classmates introducing me to their parents as “This is my friend, Geetha.” But, inside I used to say, “Hello, but, I am not your friend. I am just your classmate.” So, the perspective of friendship differs from person to person. Each one has their own definition for friendship.

I have some wonderful friends, who love me from their heart, and I can feel it. It is mutual, I would say. When I am down, the first ones to think of will be my friends. Friendship is such a wonderful thing and to have true friends is a God given gift. I feel sorry for people who don’t know the difference between a friend and an acquaintance. Friends are people whom you can rely on at times of difficulties and needs and people with whom you can share your joys. Life is pointless without a friend.