# 020 Of friendships

I've been doing a bit of thinking lately; mostly about the friends I have and the friendships I've forged over the years.

There are the types that you saw everyday but rarely met after high school. Yet, when you do, everyone is talking at once at the drop of a hat and it seems like it was only yesterday when you last saw each other. Its effortless to catch up from where you left off. You don't need phone calls or SMS or e-mails or letters. Its just there, a heart-to-heart connection. Maybe its because you've known each other for years so it feels alright. It feels just fine. And those kinds of friendships are hard to find so hold on to them. I've made the mistake of thinking some of them were rather overbearing and stifling; my eyes were blind to the true friendship that was the forging bond between us. How I regret harbouring those thoughts. Lucky for me nothing vitiates those kind of friendships. These are friends that I can count on for anything, whether its sunny or cloudy on the horizon. They'll be there to laugh with me and to hold my hand when I'm down. I'm sure of it.

Another type is the long-lost friend. You might have seen and talked to him or her in another month, another year, another lifetime but somehow, something always seems to bring both back together. Its funny how fate works. Somethings were just meant to be. These types are worth keeping too because even if you lose them, they're going to come back anyhow =] You probably have a lot of fun reminiscing about the past, filling up the gaps where fate decided to take a break. You'll probably laugh yourselves silly thinking about all the firsts and wondering why it wasn't this easy before. It probably was but since its been some time, there's need to start all over again. But its definitely worth it.

And there's this last group. When you're together, its great - you hit it off at once. But there's something not quite right. The friendship is just good on the surface. There's no depth, and no real understanding. You might have some things in common and that's why you've stuck together - because it was convenient, but its not the lasting thing you think it is. Its a fragile relationship and as fickle as a flower bending in the breeze. It doesn't help when other factors become an easy distraction. And then you're just a friend of the past, no longer the chummy buddy you once were and there's a bitter aftertaste left behind. These friends have a proclivity to be friendly when there's no one else around, but when there is, *poof!* they vanish! When more important things come up, you're cast off and while it stings a little at first, you think you're better off that way. Getting too close was rather detrimental anyway. You're in better company on your own.

I have friends from all three categories. Before, I may have mistaken one for another, or given more importance to the wrong people. But now, I think I know better.

I think its called growing up.

CURRENT :

• MUSIC - WHEN A BLIND MAN CRIES by DEEP PURPLE
• READ - BED REST by SARAH BILSTON
• MOOD - THOUGTFUL "Be great in act as you have been in thought" -The Bard-