Defining the Word Friend

Real Best Friends

What does the word friend mean to you? To me, it means being a person that cares about another person, who may or may not necessarily be a blood relation, or any member of one’s family. While many people are fortunate enough to marry their “best friend,” others are not so fortunate. Being someone’s friend means you care about him or her for who they are, as well as what kind of person they are. YOU should be able to confide in your trusted friend, and yet not expect that person to take verbal abuse, though they would normally be able to accept constructive criticism, accepting that you have only their best interests at heart, and that you are not being hypercritical. One should never intentionally say hurtful things to a friend, or anyone else, for that matter.

To me, friendship is also dependent on that person being a decent, and reliable person, as well as being trustworthy, and honest. It’s also being someone you can trust with your very life if need be. Being a true friend means not breaking a confidence, that is not harmful to others or illegal.

A true friend has the other person’s well being at heart, and would never deliberately do anything that would cause damage to a friend. One should never gossip about anyone, much less someone they consider to be a friend. That includes one’s marriage mate.

A friend is someone or some persons that you cherish for being who they are, and not what they can do for you. Yet, a friend will also try to help in any way they can if and when they see a need. A real friend would never make overtures to a friend’s mate, or disclose embarrassing personal information to others, either.

Cherished Friend and Mother

If you have a real friend, and not just a “fair weather friend,” you are a rich person indeed. Does your friend need help while being ill, maybe a ride to a doctor’s appointment, or someone to shop for a few groceries when incapacitated? Maybe they need a little cleaning done around the house, a pillow fluffed possibly. A true friend doesn’t wait to be asked, they offer, or in some circumstances, they just do it, and make sure their friend is safe, well tended, and comfortable.

This is only a small part of what true friendship means to me. What does friendship mean to you?