Friend: It is not the out stretched hand nor the kindly smile. It is the spirited inspiration that comes when one believes in you and trusts in you.
I think that is still the best definition I've found. I've been lucky enough to have friends like that through my life. I've found that time is not part of the definition. Friends can be from way back, that you've not seen in ages and they can be new. They don't always have to see you at your worst nor at your best. Sometimes they just know the "you" that is "you" in spite of those things and even in spite of not seeing those times.
I think my friends forgive me for being me all the time. I have a friend from college that once told me that the best part of being your friend is I got your whole family along with it. She's someone I met when she was a freshman and we've just hung out ever since. My kids love her and I think she's closer to Diann than me! At least as long as we give her Hershey kisses! There is always foil wrappers around when she leaves.
Some friends are newer. We've met at band performances with our kids in high school, or through just being neighbors. They are parents like us and getting older, too.
I reconnected with another friend recently from way back. It is good to connect and catch up. We've all traveled our paths and each journey has been varied. Older friends are different. They knew you before you did anything. You were full of optimism, passion and invincible. To still like you is a testament to them more than you.
I'm looking at another friend right now. Talk about seeing you at your best and worst! She's seen it all and then some. Yet, she still thinks I'm great. I'm glad we found each other. She still fills me with that spirited inspiration, at least she does when she puts her hands on her hips and says my whole name in that specific tone. Suddenly the kids run and I'm alone. At that point I'm just looking for a kindly smile or an out stretched hand!
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