A friend does not judge
Are around even when they don't want to hear it anymore
Provide a shoulder to cry on when one says they are not going to cry
Encourages you to get yourself together and stand strong

They do not tell you it will get better, hang in there, others have it rougher than you
There is no judgement ever on mistakes you continue to make
If you are getting down trodden they are there to pick you up
When you are being attacked a friend defends your honor

When the chips are down and all you do is cry
That friend doesn't care, but lifting your spirits becomes priority
If they are true they tell you what is so amazing about you
They respect boundaries and offlimit conversations

when you are about to truly mess up
It isn't told to the whole world
You receive a short note telling you to get your head out of your @##
Explaining why they say such a thing

A friend does not take advantage of your feelings
You do not have to worry about gossip because it won't show up
There is always a mass amount of comfort offered
Causing you to feel safe even when your world is imploding

Most of all they ask nothing in return
They give from their heart and soul to help you make it
Trying to teach you new ways to cope and that there is more to life than whatever is bringing you down
When doing all this they never make you feel like you are a charity case

In the end after building you up
They are still there
To lend an ear to your happiness, joyfulness, sadness and pain
Most of all to catch you if you fall

A friend doesn't leave you just because you are better
They are there for the long haul
They are there forever

Written by JH all rights reserved