Friends
Webster says, a friend is “one well known to another and regarded with affection and loyalty; intimate associate; suporter.”
Everybody has a friend because as the old saying goes “No man is an island.” They can either be your school chums, work/office mates, neighbor, brods/sis in an org or club or just simply your partner.
I have little circles of friends. There’s my high school friends, one little circle. Then there’s my college friends, second little circle. Melissa, Jun, Rina and Marion; during my Centennial days, third little circle. My stay at the Office of the Vice President, I got my fourth little circle. And my fifth circle is my loving and very affectionate husband. A small number compared to my husband because he has a lot. Even big circles.
Last week, my husband was sent an article by a friend entitled “Partners and Marriage” which he printed out and brought home for me to ponder. It was written in a simple language unlike other articles that we read that uses highfalutin words that would require the reader to use a dictionary. Anyway, the message of the writer, for those who are getting married or who are in a relationship, is to find something beyond love that would make them (the couple) stick together thus an assurance of a long and lasting relationship — that is FRIENDSHIP. Let’s face it, we get into a relationship because, number one concern, we are physically attracted then follows number two concern, we like the guy. My dearest hubby says I am his best friend and likewise. The key, whether in marriage or in a partnership, is to be friends. Anyways, let’s go to my point.
How do you know who your real friends are? Hhhmmm!?! Think about it.
The reason why I have little circles that I keep is because I am what I am today if not for them. We share our problems to lighten the burden and to feel a little ease. We criticize each other constructively (never backstabbing or bad mouthing). We offer our shoulder for each other to cry on. We share our happiness and despair.
I had weathered many things in life and still they are there to support me. They are just there, “Wind Beneath My Wings” like in the song. I am lucky to have each one of them.
I know some people who pose to be a friend of a friend who would talk nasty things behind the other person’s back. It’s cruel and unfair. Foul. Maligning other people is their cup of tea. This morning there was a news carried by CNN from Colombia about gossiping. In Colombia, they were able to put behind bars those people who are gossipers. Cheers to that!
Another adage is “friends are precious gems”, I certainly agree. I am not a moneyed person but I am rich with my little circles of friends. They are my treasure — my “precious gems”. That’s right.
