You Gotta Have Friends

The word Friend is defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as, " one attached to another by affection or esteem, acquaintance."  I agree with most of this definition, not the "acquaintance" part.  Many people are an "acquaintance" of mine, but not a "friend".  There are a close few, however, that I do call "friend".

My closest friends should be given medals, awards, money, whatever they want, for all I've put them through.  They wouldn't take anything.  That's what makes them true, die hard, forever friends.  I have two that are the absolute closest.  I tell you about them so you may know what true friendship means, so you have a way to measure others that claim to be your "friend."

Rebecca - The one word I would use to sum her up would be, "fabulous".  Beck, as we call her, can do anything.  She sews, crafts, scrapbooks, makes cards, paints, decorates, bakes, and more.  What she touches becomes shear perfection.  You might call her the "Martha Stewart" of the real world.  Aside from all her talent, she is a terrific mom to 5 parrots, Ferguson, Sydney, Smoky Joe, Mason, and Rudy, and a wonderful, loving wife to husband Bill.  As a Controller, she has so much responsibility at work, I don't know how she does it.  (A Controller is NOT a Secretary, as I learned the hard way).  Beck's family is down south, and she deals with their interesting trials on a daily basis.  I tell you all this about Beck so you know, in spite of her 30 hour days, she always has time for me.  If I call her, she's there.  When I need her, she's there.  This is what a true, real friend is about.  You won't find this in the dictionary.

Barbara - There is no single word to describe her.  Babs, as I call her, has been my friend since 5th grade Junior Church.  (about 30 years)  You could describe her as _________________.  What ever word you would put there would be correct.  This chick is nuts to be sticking with me all this time.  We have been on road trips together, double dates, intoxicated, sick, tired, happy, depressed, any and all emotions and situations you could possibly think of, we've been there.  I would not have a life without her in it.  She is my sister, confidant, judge, jury, there are just not enough words to describe our crazy, wonderful friendship.  She is always there, and always will be there.  There are enough stories to write a book on.  Someday, when I know she's too rich to sue me for libel, I'll write it. 

I tell you about these women, so you know what friendship is all about.  We eat, laugh, eat, cry, eat, craft, eat, and eat more.  The best times in my life have been with these two.  I know I put them through it at times, but I know they'll always be there, and I can always count on them.  I laugh when I think of all the desserts we've been through, all the men we've talked about, all the tears we've held each other through.  There are no other people on this earth that I am so, "...attached to...by affection or esteem..." 

Maybe the dictionary has it right after all.