Friends.
Textbook definition: a person you know well and regard with affection and trust.

For many of us, its hard to imagine not having those around us we call friends. Our friends are with us during the best times in our lives and the worst times and love us just the same. They’re our allies, our advisers, our fans, our reality check and also can be closer to us than our own blood relatives.

Yes, without these people in our lives, I think some of us would be declared as mentally insane. It’s our friends who keep us grounded and balanced. Some circumstances show cause for interventions but only with the best intentions for helping you find your way back to the right path. Friends willingly and lovingly come to your rescue in times of need. Whether its a broken heart, regrets from the past that continues to rear its ugly head, a death, abuse in a relationship, sickness or addiction; the miracle of friends comes with the unwritten rule that these acts of love and support come unconditionally. I can honestly say that I know I’ve made repeated mistakes in my life, that when this happens and I look to my friends for support, they are without fault and without judgment. It’s the beauty of their strength they take from within themselves and pass to me that gets me through every time.

Where would we be without these life lines we call friends? It’s scary to think of where my life would be right now if I had never met those that mean the most in my life. So, appreciate your friends, be there for them, love them as they love you. It makes life. It just makes life meaningful, memorable, amazing, interesting and at times so hilarious that your friends lovingly point out how many times you snorted from laughing too hard! The single greatest thing about friendships is how they make you laugh. You could be down in the dumps, not leaving your house and over eating comfort food thinking your world is caving in, but one funny remark or joke from a friend that can make you laugh again is something to hold very near and dear to your heart. Think about it…How many people do you know that can do that for you? And I don’t mean just laughing to laugh. I’m talking the kind of laugh that makes you laugh so hard it radiates through your body and just for a moment you forget about your problems. Sometimes that 2-3 minute break is all you need to get going again…and your friends always know when you need that.

So, appreciate your friends. Tell them how much they mean to you and how grateful you are to have them in your life. I know I love and appreciate my friends and I tell them whenever I can. Sometimes people need to hear that. So, what are you doing still reading this? Call, email, write, text, or IM your friends and tell them they mean the world to you and how lucky you are to have them around!! You never know, today could be the day when they really need a friend.

Today’s blog is dedicated to all my friends who have loved and supported me unconditionally throughout the years. I can only hope that I have even been able to come as close to that for all of you.