YourHub.com \\ The Valley \\ Blogs \\ Family & Community \\ Home & Family

Blog Entry 10 of 20 Tarzana Housewife Trials and Triumphs

Life is a balancing act and full of discovery. This is my journey. Kids, work, husband, friends, relatives, school, the house, the dog, strangers, our community, the world, and, oh, yeah, me!

Blog Url: http://valleynews.com/~KathleenMelton

True friends are always with you

e-mail to a friend | print this | link to this

NEXT › ‹ PREVIOUS

Contributed by: Kathleen Melton on 11/15/2007

"Who is your best friend?" my son recently asked me. His intensity caught me a bit off guard.

I haven't heard that question since I was in school, and the person asking wanted to make sure the answer was her name - because back then, we all had one and only one best friend.

"I don't have just one," I finally replied (feeling all grown-up), "I have several."

"But you have to choose just one person," he persisted.

At this point, I could feel his internal struggle. This wasn't just idle conversation.

"Do you have a best friend?" I asked. Both of my boys became entrenched in getting to the bottom of this for everyone and a lively discussion ensued.

"It is so hard to pick just one," they both agreed, pleadingly, looking to me for the answer.

"So don't," I said, the pain of not being chosen and the elation of knowing you've been chosen came flooding back.

How do I save them from this? "But you have to!" They insisted. So I took a deep breath.

I struggled to find the right words. "There will be a lot of wonderful friends who come into your life," I began, "and depending on what's going on at that particular time, you will feel more connected to certain friends than others."

"Like my new friends this year that used to be my old friends when I was younger?" they asked. "Or my friends I had last year that I don't really play with this year?" "And my new friend in my class that I really like?" They were getting it. I smiled, nodded and continued, thinking of my own friends.

I tried to explain that it isn't one best friend that they are seeking. It is a true friend. Best friends change, come and go. But a true friend will be there for you, even when they are not your current "best friend."

A true friend will be the one cheering for you, congratulating you, and being happy for you, even when your "best friend" is no where to be found. A true friend will be the one who is not laughing when you embarrass yourself - and laughs with you when you are ready.

A true friend will be the one that you can always sit with at lunch, even if you have not spoken for a while.

A true friend is someone you know is there, regardless, even after you disagree, argue or fight. A true friend lets you be you. A true friend is where you feel safe.

"So a true friend is like family?" my youngest asked.

I couldn't have said it better. And in that moment, I could see that they knew in their hearts who their true friends were.

< Previous: 'Manners, civility and ...' | Next: 'What is 'grace?'' >

[Report this as objectionable content.]

SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above blog

Current Rating

Based on 3 user ratings.

Talk Back : submit comments to the blog

*Note: you need to log-in to add a comment or rating.

Thank you! Your comment has been updated.

Showing 1-3 of 3 comments

Submitted By: Ricki Nodelman

posted on 11/23/2007 @ 11:30:26 AM

Rated Blog Entry

It's extra special when a friend happens to be a family member as well.

[Report as objectionable]

Submitted By: alisa davies

posted on 11/19/2007 @ 6:49:10 PM

Rated Blog Entry

Wisely put, but O my goodness, a friend who wrote a song about you! She must be very clever. You run with an amazing crowd.

[Report as objectionable]

Submitted By: Iris Kashmiri

posted on 11/19/2007 @ 1:32:51 PM

Rated Blog Entry

A lot of people consider their best friend to be the Prophet of their chosen religion -- whether that is Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha or another Prophet. And other people consider their best friend to be their favorite candidate for President of the United States.

[Report as objectionable]

Showing 1-3 of 3 comments

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Kathleen Melton

Tarzana , CA

Kathleen Melton has posted 20 blog entries and 0 comments since joining on 8/31/2006. Kathleen Melton 's average blog rating is 4.96.

view profile » view other postings from Kathleen Melton »

BLOG ENTRY RSS FEEDS

All blog entries

All blog entries in The Valley

All blog entries by Kathleen Melton

Loading Ad