Count on Me

*Insert Jigsaw voice* Let's play a game. All of your life, you've surrounded yourself with people who you believe are your friends. They call, say "hi" when you enter and "see you later" when you leave. They eat your food, celebrate your birthday and even know your parents' names. One thing is wrong, they aren't your friends. At the end of this, you will find out who your friends are. Let the game begin.

Think about all of your friends or the people who are privileged to hold that title. Now, eliminate the friends who you only gossip with, but never tell anything too personal; if they're talking to you about someone, they'll talk to someone about you. Next, eliminate the friends who you only use for networking purposes, yes, we have ulterior motives as well. Drop off the friends who you've been bff's with since elementary school, but never had the courage to drop the title. Let go of the moochers, the 'party crew', and the 'it just makes sense' friends. Who's left? Don't worry, I'll wait.

The remainder are people who seek solutions when you have issues. The ones that check on you to make sure you're awake finishing up that last paper during finals week. They know when you're mad even when you're smiling. You have a good laugh whether you're on the couch reminiscing, at the gym working out, or in the pews of the church getting your praise on. Goodie bag when you've come home from surgery? Heck Yea! Swedish fish and cheez-its included. When your back is against the wall, they're knocking down the wall to make some more space for you guys to brainstorm your next move. These people are your friends.

My mother said if I graduated college with at least two good friends, I was blessed. I must be blessed and highly favored because I have a good handful of friends in my corner. We've laughed, cried, stood in the cold for a concert, embarrassed each other during celebratory events and most importantly, gone toe to toe, hand in hand, in the everlasting battle of life. Although there are no physical requirements for friends, if you're a guy, it wouldn't hurt if your friend was a HOT girl who could get your ex-jealous. Ladies, if your friend was a guy, 6'7'' and a CUTIE, it wouldn't hurt to tote him around to the next holiday party. I digress.

Your friends can range from your mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, cousin, line sister/brother, co-worker, random stranger you've met on the bus or college roommate. I'm not saying you need to call everyone in your phone book, and tell them that you're friends and not friends, but I do want you to realize the difference; every person serves a purpose in your life, being your ride or die, just may not be it -- no hard feelings. Think about what people stand out the most in your life and why. Think about your rough times and the people you've called to get you through. Lastly, think about the people who call you just to make sure that you're ok -- sometimes we put walls up, not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.

A friendship is hard work, so work hard at it. You will reap the benefits, and you'll notice who they are, when you need them the most.

Smoochis :-*
KK