When a friend isn't !!!

When you think of a "Friend", what comes to mind?

Is it your boyfriend? Your girlfriend? Someone you've known forever? Someone you may have just met? Who is it that listens to your problems or helps to meet your needs when you are having a problem, or is there with you through thick and thin? Someone who parties with you or works side-by-side with you even though it is not their project. You are together because you enjoy the other persons problems.

Does that person go out of their way to help when really needed? Do they bring you chicken soup when you are sick, or drop off aspirins when you have none? Are they willing to stop what they are doing to come to your aid or are they always too busy. Do they answer the phone no matter when you call or do they wait and let you leave a message? Does your friend hear you when you are speaking or do they always dominate the conversation with things about them.

I have had many friends through the years and always wonder what happened to them. How is it that when you make a friend, they end up disappearing? Are they really to be considered friends? Is life truly so busy in everyone's world that they have absolutely no time any longer to share themselves even for a short conversation with those they counted as, friend?

I have lost track of many friends that I never wanted to lose. I have also left messages for many friends that I have never received a call back from. That part I truly don't understand. I try to respond to all of my calls and when a friend calls I am always eager to take it. I am not needy, and I don't require anything from anyone so I find it odd that a friend would not return a phone message. And I find it even more odd when a friend really needs something that no one is willing to reach out and at least try to help. Being realistic, we cannot always help. We do not always have the resources to do everything that comes along, but there are many times when all someone needs is a friend to listen or just a hand with a heavy object.

Today I had a friend who was feeling under the weather and just needed a couple of aspirin. He phoned a mutual friend whom he had recently done some things for, as a friend, and asked if they could drop some by on their way home. The friend responded that they did not have anything with them, nor did they have anything at their house. BUT, they were currently at their parents house and could have easily obtained a few aspirins there and dropped them off. (How many of your mothers don't have some form of pain reliever in the house? -- Exactly !) But they refused to return favor by doing the good deed and bringing some relief to a friend. What kind of friend is that? I offered to bring something immediately but the friend said they were already going out for something but would stop over to get it, rather than going to the store. I gave them extra for later.

I am no hero. I am no different than what anyone should be. I didn't go out, but I offered and I would have. That is the difference.

My friend got what he needed, but will the other friend get what they need when it comes back around? We should all take inventory of the list of people we consider friends. Are they really? How good a friend are they?

I am, in no way, perfect. But I do appreciate my friends. I have some pretty good ones right now and I pray I never lose them. I have some previous ones that I would like to have back. But I do not know what the problem is to begin with so I guess we wait.

There is an old saying: "If you want a friend........Be One !"