My Hope as a Friend

I love to laugh. People know that about me. And I usually make them laugh too. And I enjoy that. I'm glad I bring laughter into people's lives. But, while that may the first thing people think about me, I hope it's not the only thing people think about me.

I always hope that I'm a good friend. And maybe it's selfish to think that I am. But my hope is that people do think of me as a good friend. I always hear those quotes about friendship like "A true friend is someone you can call at 3 am in the morning and they will answer." I have to be honest, that one always makes me feel kind of guilty. I can't answer the phone at 3 in the morning. I would if I could! However, I do get what the point of the quote and I hope people see me as a person they can count on.

As a friend, I hope:

• I listen when people need someone to just stop and hear what they are saying.
• I am able to be silent when people just need silence.
• I am able to be positive when someone can only see negative.
• I can be encouraging when others find it hard to do so.
• I am open and real so that people are comfortable.
• I am willing to be uncomfortable (step out of my comfort zone) in order to help others in ways they need it.
• I am willing to share because life is no fun alone.
• I am honest because we all have different perspectives.
• I am supportive and when I am not, that I'm doing it out of love and the best interest of the person, not personal gain.

This is just the beginning of the list of hopes that I have for myself as a friend. And I am not saying I do these things. Being this kind of friend is a journey and one that I take with other people. I can only hope that people see the potential for these in me. Because I know what it's like not to have this kind of friend in moments when you need it most. Or, at least you don't think you have these kinds of friends and you're going through one of the hardest things in your life that you've ever had to go through alone.

I have been blessed lately to have people in my life who I am learning I can call friends, as I learn to open up to them, because it's not easy for me. I'm thankful that they're there beside me and that they call me a friend and allow me to walk with them on their journey.

And so I wonder, who do people around me call a "friend" and how do they define a "friend"?