Friends in different stages of life…..
In kindergarten your idea of a good friend was the person who let you have the red
crayon when all that was left was the ugly black one.
In primary school your idea of a good friend was the person helped you stand up to the
class bully; shared their lunch with you when you forgot yours on the bus;
saved a seat on the back of the bus for you; knew who you had a crush on and
never understood why.
In secondary school your idea of a good friend was the person who let you copy
their social studies homework; went to that "cool" party with you so you wouldn't
wind up being the only freshie there; did not let you lunch alone.
In preuniversity
your idea of a good friend was the person who gave you rides
in their new car; convinced your parents that you shouldn't be grounded;
consoled you when you broke up with Nick or Susan; found you a date to the prom
or went to the prom with you (both without dates); helped you pick a university
and assured you that you would get into that university; helped you deal with
your parents who were having a hard time letting you go.
On the threshold of adulthood your idea of a good friend was the person who was
there when you just couldn't deal with your parents; assured you that now that
you and Nick or you and Susan were back together, you could make it through anything;
just silently hugged you as you looked through blurry eyes at 18 years of memories;
and reassured you that you would make it in university as well as you had these past
18 years; and most importantly sent you off to university knowing you were loved.
Now, your idea of a good friend is still the person who gives you the better
of the two choices, hold your hand when you're scared, helps you fight off
those who try to take advantage of you, thinks of you at times when you are not there,
reminds you of what you have forgotten, helps you put the past behind you but
understands when you need to hold on to it a little longer, stays with you so that
you have confidence, goes out of their way to make time for you, helps you clear
up your mistakes, helps you deal with pressure from others, smiles for you when
they are sad, helps you become a better person, and most importantly loves you!
