I’ve been in close communication with a far-away friend recently. Texts, emails, etc… And, in nearly all of my recent exchanges with her, I’ve made it a point to call her “friend.” This word means a lot to her, and she uses it regularly when she’s addressing friends. I want to speak her heart’s language, so I intentionally and consciously call her “friend.”
I’ve thought about that word a lot lately. About what that word means. About what it means to her, to me, and to the English language.
I’m realizing that this word – friend – is probably one of the most important words in our vocabulary.
It holds so much meaning, so much symbolism, so much relationship, so much knowing, so much truth.
What does this word mean to you?
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I am fierce about friendships.
I have certain friends whom I call certain things when I am texting or emailing. But when I get a surprise one. It warms my heart. It holds my heart so tight I’d swear all the juices would pop out.
I crave that at times!!!
Society tells us to be in a hurry. Busy doing this and that. But real friendship is when you stop and remember, something small, maybe a picture or a word or maybe sending them something or just responding in a intimate way.
Intimacy is of the past.
Whomever that friend that you are corresponding to is …. soooo blessed to have you Mandy filling her soul, to be intimate with, to share and love.
She might just have needed it a little more this week.
or you yourself…
Love you girl!
I had 2 thoughts:
1) I seem to use ‘my’ (as in ‘my man’) or a nickname (as in ‘Mandy Lu’) when I’m speaking towards that strong, yet tender, emotion of a friend/loved one.
2) Since my voicemail opens with the greeting of ‘Frieeend,’ maybe that’s why I don’t have a job!? B/c no employer could leave me a voicemail saying that they’d just love to have me since we wouldn’t have been friends yet!??? LOL!!!
3) Friend – as I’ve grown older, I’m realizing the importance of having different layers of friendship, and have grieved (ahuh) over the truth that those 2 girls you promised to be bff with forever and ever back in the 1st grade HAVE to change at some point. Friends are seasonal. And that is okay. It doesn’t mean you love them less. Friend – trustworthy, you know them, they know you, common interest in something is there….those are the basics. To which I have returned in this new location of the season of my life
Responsibility. I struggle with this one…but as I was reading this, that is what first came to mind.
I can tell you what a friend is not:
It is not fair-weathered.
I want loyalty in my friendships. But I never expect in my friends what I don’t offer myself.
everything.
through thick and thin.
so rare.
Friend:
Someone who makes you smile when you see them, or hear their name.
Someone you can reach out to without fear.
Someone who when they need help, you are ready to give it.
Someone you miss when they aren’t around.
Someone who calls when you haven’t been around.
It think its easy to find friends, but sometimes hard to keep their friendship.
“What does this word mean to you?”
you.
Knowing and understanding the small things, the intricacies of the heart.
shooo. loaded question.
short answer: everything and nothing.
WHOA. never looked at it that way. hmm…. interesting.
I love this word, because I don’t use it unless this person is a valued person to me…. I care about them more than just the average Joe, their life has mattered to me in some way. Now, I will SAY “oh yeah we’re friends from such and such…” but to say “I’m sorry friend,” or “I miss you, friend” or “I love you, friend” means more entirely to me. Friend means they are either very important in my life right now, or have been in the past. Close to my heart.
A friend is who share their thoughts, happiness, sad, worries and secret with each other. She/He will always be there when you need her/him. As long as you wish to share your happiness/sorrow. They will always support and give you a listening ear and assistance.