On Friendship…

This is not a blog where you will see much on the topics of politics or religion. It’s not that I don’t have an opinion on those topics… it’s that they are wildly personal and I don’t share EVERYTHING on here.

Today though, I want to talk about friendship… and there is a verse that is so fitting, I can’t NOT share it. It’s not one that most would think of as related to friendship and it is often read at weddings…although, in my experience at least, less practiced in marriages. My marriages anyway… not knocking yours.

Last night I was texting a friend who was asking me about replacing brakes on his car. {Yes, you read that right. A guy asked a girl for car repair advice and the world didn’t explode.} After several texts back and forth, the thought I had was that I was bummed that my week was so overwhelmingly busy and I wouldn’t be able to offer any hands on help until Sunday. The gratitude poured through my phone as he struggled to find a way to repay my kindness and I said {and meant} “My help is the reward you get for putting up with my crazy.”

Friendship… true friendship… is love.  Love comes in many flavors and while there is nothing at all romantic in the friendship I have with this bestie and her hubs, I would move mountains if I could for them.  The best part is, they would do the same for me.  The best BEST part is that that is how I would describe multiple friendships in my world.

That got me thinking about some of the other relationships in my past and present and my heart overflowed with gratitude as I looked at how different my life is now vs a few short years ago.  The friendships I have are irreplaceable.  I can honestly say that I would not be the person I am without the friendships I hold dear.

I think I appreciate it so much more because of the people in my past who have taken advantage of what I could do for them or how I could improve their world without lifting so much as a finger to improve mine.  I vowed once upon a time that I would no longer allow dream suckers and squashers into my life and I have taken that seriously.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

I know I don’t always make the best decisions… can’t think of a single person in my world who is perfect all the time to be honest… but because my friends are patient with my fuckups, it is easy and effortless to be patient with theirs.  When we have good in our world, we are free to share without repercussions or jealousy.  We celebrate together and lift each other up.  That’s love.  That’s Friendship.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Without respect, there is no true friendship… we all bring different talents and treasure to the table and I can’t think of a single friend who would abuse that or take advantage of it.    We each give and take what we can when we can.  Whether it is manual labor or just a quick text to check in and remind us that we are never alone.  That’s not to say we always LIKE each other.  I mean we are human after all… The good outweighs the bad though and for my friends, I tend to have a 2 second rebound rate.  There’s no scoreboard and I can be fuming mad about something very real to me… and then tomorrow we’re back to good.  And it goes both ways.  That’s love.  That’s Friendship.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

Women are catty.  It’s a stereotype and I know many women would say “HEY!  NOT ME” but stereotype or not, I was on the high school Drill Team.  You will NEVER convince me that there aren’t catty women in this world.  People can be mean.  They can smile to your face and then stab you in the back.  Like Hans from Frozen

But friends?  True friends?  They don’t stand around and let others tear you down.  Like a mad mama bear protecting her cub, the dark doesn’t stand a chance.  Monsters are easier to face when you aren’t alone.  It’s easier to dust off and stand back up again when you can count on others stretching a hand in aid.  That’s love.  That’s Friendship.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

We will be the first to rally to defend each other and we come in packs.  We know we can count on each other no matter how big or small the need or request… we follow along in the soap operas {some more dramatic than others} of each others lives and hope for the happy endings.  Whether friends since the days of blue eye shadow and sequins or only the last year or two, these friendships are very real and long lasting.  This is Love.  This is friendship.

To my friends – and y’all all know who you are – I hope you know and feel the love I have for each and every one of you every moment of every day.  You make me a better person and I hope I enhance your life as well.

I’m counting my blessings today and always.

Don’t forget –  tomorrow kicks off the joint project with Food Good Laundry Bad as we initiate the Axis of Ineptitude with our Come Play in May Blogging Challenge!  Hope you’ll be joining us!!!