The Blessing Called Friendship

I heard once an old adage, "Friends are there for you when they'd rather be anywhere else. " The measure of a true friend is in times of need. When for the moment you need a helping hand, they choose to be that "hand" instead of them doing a rather important thing in their lives. Selfless individuals, these are the people  that we want to keep in our lives.

I thought of writing down the group of friends I currently have in my life. Here's what I came up with: 

1.  Childhood Friends - unfortunately, these are the rarest these days. When I go home in our family's place, I would see one or two of them in the old neighborhood. Most of them have their own families and kids.  Our talks usually revolves around how their kids are. There are some I still see, but too shy to start of a conversation.  Back then I remember, we're a group of kids idolizing Bioman. Funny how they assign me as Peebo, and the five of them as the color coded stars. I was the youngest that time and the most competitive. I still would like to rekindle the friendship I have with them. I hope it's not too late. 

2.  Grade School Friends - Again, one of the rarest friends I have. In fact, I can call them the Facebook/Friendster friends. You only get to see them now in social networking sites.  Some friends are also moved over into becoming High School friends. Grade School friends are of course, childhood friends too. Like some of the childhood friends I have, we have less chances of seeing each other. Most of them are abroad and on different places. It's nice talking to them about their current statuses, their own family and their occupations. 

3. High School Friends - These set of friends are my favorite. These are the folks that know me even with the slightest look in my eyes.  We talk endlessly about stuff and we surely know how to keep our confidence level up. These are the friends that no matter what happens to you, they are still there to cheer you up and to tell you honestly what they think about you. They are my best critic, my biggest supporters. It's always a great laugh with them. Of course, we talk about their kids and how indebted am I especially during Christmas season knowing that I am the godfather of their sons and daughters. 

4. College Friends - I have few close friends in college and these are the folks that have stirred my propensity to be serious with my career. We're the debate team, the badminton varsity and the folks who frequent libraries and government agencies.  They are the best allies. 

5. Workplace Friends - I call them my support/mentoring group. They are the ones who are not afraid to provide feedback and motivation. These are the bosses I had who became close friends. These are the peers that stimulates your thinking and challenges your decision, not for anything else, but to help you grow in the professional milieu. 

6. Neighbors

7.  Pets - I consider them friends too. Our family have three dogs and three cats. All of which I love, they are source of happiness and inspiration too. 

8. Soulmates - these are the folks at home, my family. These are the people who provide unconditional love. These are the relatives that are there for you in times of triumph and success, and times of challenges and sacrifices.  These is your one true love, your anchor, your  meaning. For me, this is my Nimmy. 

Of the blessings the Lord has given me, I think friends are one of the most precious ones I have. These are the people that makes my life colorful and exciting. I can't imagine a life without these relationship with friends. 

Indeed, blessed are we to find them. So may I ask, how thankful are you for friends?