Amistad.

The friends that I have, I hold very dear.
I know a lot of people, but please don't misunderstand. I am close to maybe a handful of those beautiful smiling faces. In fact I used to have written criteria (not kidding, how sad is that?) for the qualities I look for in a friend. I'll have to find it and dig it out but I remember one of the requirements was humor. Evidently I can't be friends with anyone that I can't laugh with. I do think this important for all relationships, including the one with yourself, but I tend to take things a bit far.

The googler that I am, I looked up friendship and found that Wikipedia (not the most reliable source so don't quote me) had this to say about "friendship" : Value that is found in friendships is often the result of a friend demonstrating the following on a consistent basis:

the tendency to desire what is best for the other
sympathy and empathy
honesty, perhaps in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth, especially in terms of pointing out the perceived faults of one's counterpart
Mutual understanding
Mutual Compassion

Using only that description, I have maybe 10 friends in the world. I shan't name them (that's right I said shan't), because I genuinely don't want to hurt anyone ever. But it makes me realize how silly people can be and how decieving popularity can be. How many people do you know that can advocate honesty, even when they know it's going to hurt you, them, or both? I think I only know 10. Which is NOT bad! I'm surprised I could count that many really... not because I "feel so alone" or "think no one likes me"- Just because I don't think I let many people in. It terrifies me. I think it scares me because I know that I'll never be as good of friend as I want others to be to me, even though, people who know me know that I try really hard. I have a puppy personality really. Annoyingly faithful at times.

Also from Wikipedia: "The conventional wisdom is that good friendships enhance an individual's sense of happiness and overall well-being. But a number of solid studies support the notion that strong social supports improve a woman’s prospects for good health and longevity. Conversely, it has been shown that loneliness and lack of social supports are linked to an increased risk of heart disease, viral infections, and cancer as well as higher mortality rates. Two female researchers have even termed friendship networks a “behavioral vaccine” that protects health and mental health."

We need each other. We have to be ourselves to really connect though. This will free us to further need each other and further be who we were meant to be.

What does scripture say?

A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity. Proverbs 17: 17

He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends. Proverbs 17: 9

Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are lavish and deceitful. Proverbs 27: 6

Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend's counsel that comes from the heart. Proverbs 27: 9

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:12-15