We have many "acquaintances" throughout our lives, but there are very few people special enough to be a "true friend." The requirements are selfless and exhausting at times. Acquaintances receive the old, "I'm fine" when asked how we are? A true friend gets every detail until they feel they were right there with you.
A true friend knows you for who you really are. They know you can get angry and petty and lazy at times, but they know those are just reactions to circumstances going on in your life. If you cry while telling a story, a true friend will always be crying, too. We have to watch what we say to some, or they will hold things against those we talked to them about.
A true friend listens, advises us on how to handle what we are feeling, and then, lets the specifics go. An acquaintance gossips our business all over town. A true friend simply has to look at us as we enter their home, to know what kind of mood we're in. They know when we need to be alone, and when we need company. They sense when we want to do all the talking, or when we simply want to listen to their voice.
A true friend will take the high road and tell you the truth about why you are feeling the way you are, and care enough to help you do something positive about it. An acquaintance will tell you what you want to hear. A true friend will answer our one thousand word e mail in one sentence, and set you back on track. An acquaintance might not even bother reading all of it, just enough to let you think they did.
A true friend knows what your favorite things are, and when they see something they know you'll like, they pick it up and give it to you over coffee. They know you like simplicity over expensive. They share the same thought patterns and interests. They like the same fragrances, and share similar beliefs. They understand you for who you are. They pray for you when they don't think their help is enough.
Even if it is, there's always room for the Almighty. They believe this, and they know you believe it, too. An acquaintance may think you're a little nuts to believe in angels. A true friend will share her angel stories with you. An acquaintance may not be able to involve themselves in a spiritual conversation with you. A true friend knows more than you can fathom, and always has the right things to say.
An acquaintance may give you a gift so you'll like them, and they can cement the relationship. A true friend gives from the heart, and the most gracious gift is something they already had. An acquaintance may smile and say hello in a store. A true friend's smile can light up the rest of your week. When you listen to them speak, it's like sliding your hands over velvet. That soft, calm, content feeling.
Maybe you e mail your true friends due to distance and proximity to where you live. One day, you pick up the phone and as soon as they hear you say, "Hi," they know it's you. True friends know when you are depressed or happy or even down and out. They stay true to the relationship, hence, they are true friends. Acquaintances only want the details of your circumstances so they can use it as their soap opera. A true friend knows everything there is to know about you, and likes your truth, mistakes and all. And if you walk into their home with a bright red and orange hat filled with goose feathers, and they say they love it, you can bet they do!
Thanks Sue, it was real , we were real tired when my brother took that picture. After hours of BBQing and entertaining, we were ready for the day to end, and then he had this great idea to get pics of everybody :-)
I am so happy things are finally settled and you have your new jeep. Love you bunches! t
And a true friend doesn't have to live next door; they often live many miles away or even on the other side of the world, but they are still CLOSE friends and last forever.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
