| |
| |
It has been said that if you have but one good friend, you are truly blessed, more than one you are doubly blessed. I feel a friend should be cared for as a rare flower, sprinkled with kindness, nourished with love and never, never taken for granted. Friends are one of the most precious gifts in life.
How lonely it would be if we had no friends to share our joys, comfort us when we are blue, and listen, really listen to us when we talk. We can be completely ourselves, never needing to stand on ceremony because there is an unspoken bond between us. Troubles are halved when shared with friends, and burdens are lightened because they care; they enrich our hearts.
Friendship means extending ourselves to others, always striving to make new acquaintances. As the flowers in our garden are all unique in their own way so, too, are the different friends we meet. Each friend contributes something to us in life. It does not take every waking moment with friends to seal a friendship; distance cannot change the warmth and love you have for one another.
Criticism and jealousy toward a friend should be avoided at all costs. Friends, like fragile flowers, are worth protecting because they are special. If they are not loved for themselves only, it is not a real friendship. No one need be cold and lonely when they could be warm with the sunshine of friends. I once read a lovely verse that has a lesson for all of us. Quote: "Make new friends, but keep the old, those are silver, these are gold."
Friendship, after all, is just living by the Golden Rule – it must be practised by both friends to make it grow.
Kathryn D. Brooks
(Drawing by Stephanie Gagné)
|
|
| |
|
