Courtney Burkholder

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of friendship.  There is something unique about the bond between true friends that is as strong, or even stronger, than the bond between family members.  Maybe that’s because we don’t choose our family, but each of us has choices about who we invite into our lives as friends.  And friends can have a powerful influence in our lives. 

Throughout my life, I have been blessed with many wonderful friends. I have been closer to some than others, but there are the special ones that go down in my book as lifelong friends. 

Some I speak to on a weekly basis, others I see only once or twice a year.  One, I have known for 30 years, and two I met in college.  The rest I met during various stages of my life – fresh out of school, working my first job, and my early married years while learning to be a wife and mother. 

New cities and new experiences brought different people into my life, and from those acquaintances developed a few deep, abiding friendships.  I don’t worry about these friendships.  I don’t question their strength or endurance.  Not to say I take advantage of these special people, I merely have confidence in them.  And that is the test of a true friend.

What makes a good friend?

Friendship takes time:  time to get to know each other, time to build shared memories, and time to invest in each other’s lives.  A good friend is someone you can always depend on.  They are there for you in good and bad times.  They cheer for your successes, and cry with you during your failures.  A good friend listens without judging, and offers advice when asked.  A true friend not only encourages you to be your best, they expect it.  

Trust is essential in any friendship.  A true friend is trustworthy, loyal, and faithful to you.  They also hold you accountable for your actions, because they always have your best interests at heart.  A true friend encourages you, and a true friend forgives you.  True friendship requires work and effort on both parts.

Take time today to think about your true friends.  It won’t be difficult, because their names pop into your head immediately.  Let them know how much you appreciate them and love them.  And think about yourself.  Are you a true friend?  Do you listen?  Are you trustworthy with secrets?  Are you loyal?  And most importantly, do you make your true friends a priority in your life?

To all my dear friends, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I wanted to end this article with a quote about true friendship, but could not choose which one I liked best.  So you choose, and think about it today. 

“A real friend is one who walks in when others walk out.” 

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” 

“A hug is worth a thousand words.  A friend is worth more.” 

“A friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you anyway.” 

“My friends are my estate.”