I remember growing up when I had a best friend named Peter. We met when he moved in across the street from our house and we formed a lasting friendship that has survived over the past 30 some odd years in spite of the fact that we no longer live across the street but rather three states away now. We always try to catch up when our busy schedules allow but alas because of the time and distance between us we have long had to surrender the true title of best friendship. In fact if I must be honest I can say that we know each other but sadly I could not even tell you the names of his kids at this point.
For the past 7 years I have had new best friend and this time it is a woman. I can honestly say without fear of contradiction that she knows me better than I know myself, and I know even more about her. There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t talk to her about this or that, and no matter how bad I may feel even a hello from her makes me smile even if she doesn't read my blog lol.
But what is a friend anyway?
It seems with the advent of social media that the word friend has become severely diluted. Lost are the meanings and nuances that set a person apart from the rest because that person is your friend. It seems that now just because you met a person whether online or in person and had even the briefest of conversations with them we are quick to slap the seemingly arbitrary title of friend on that person. “Hey I met so and so today and we are friends!”. I personally can count on one hand with fingers left over the number of people in my life that i can truly cherish as a real friend.
To most a friend is a person you call when you need a hand moving, or when you need to borrow a tool or some money but heaven forbid you should actually want to spend time with him or her. Worse there are those that will say boldly that they have so many friends as if it is a status symbol, but when you really need a helping hand or a financial rescue they scatter like cockroaches when the lights are turned on.
The term best friend has taken a severe hit as well. It used to be that your best friend was that one and only person you confided all of your trust in. It was the person who knew you better than anyone. The person that if you were lucky knew you better than you knew yourself. Now people will say they have many best friends. A best guy friend and a best girl friend are very common today.
To quote Elbert Hubbard: “A friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you just the same”
How can you possibly know all about someone if you only know them in a text message, an occasional phone call, or on Facebook? I long for a day when this is realized and the word friend can hold the meaning it once did. Oh well what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...except bears. Bears will freakin kill you!
For more on what I do be sure to check out my website at http://www.crystalmagicdj.com
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