Friends in Deed, are Friends Indeed....
May. 14th, 2004 12:53 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mrdreamjeansI have a handsome young cub friend who is undergoing exploratory surgery today (Friday) for several growths around his liver. They are increasing in size and number. When I saw him a couple of days ago, I could see the fear in his eyes as he told me the news of the surgery, understandably so. I could tell he wanted reassurance that everything would be okay... needed kindness and hugs and words of love and support beyond those provided by his loyal and equally handsome partner.
My friend also could use the kind of friend who will call the hospital to check up on him; the kind of friend who will listen to the details of the procedure with patience and understanding; the kind of friend that can be counted on in a crisis. I intend to be that kind of friend.
I often tell my parents, siblings, niece and nephews that I am lucky. I have two families. The one I was born into and my "family of choice" - my friends. Many times, this second family brings me greater joy and better understanding than my blood relatives, though I must say I'm pretty fortunate in both cases. I can count on both families.
Though my friend has a partner, he is estranged from his nuclear family. I think he is seeking certainty that his friends will be there in his hour of need. Isn't that what we all hope for? The knowledge that the friends we have made in the special community we are part of cares for us and won't leave us alone in our hour, weeks, months or years of need?
I'm curious.... Do you consider yourself that kind of friend? Would you be there in a friend's hour of need? Have you been there in a friend's hour of need? I'd like to hear your stories.
My friend also could use the kind of friend who will call the hospital to check up on him; the kind of friend who will listen to the details of the procedure with patience and understanding; the kind of friend that can be counted on in a crisis. I intend to be that kind of friend.
I often tell my parents, siblings, niece and nephews that I am lucky. I have two families. The one I was born into and my "family of choice" - my friends. Many times, this second family brings me greater joy and better understanding than my blood relatives, though I must say I'm pretty fortunate in both cases. I can count on both families.
Though my friend has a partner, he is estranged from his nuclear family. I think he is seeking certainty that his friends will be there in his hour of need. Isn't that what we all hope for? The knowledge that the friends we have made in the special community we are part of cares for us and won't leave us alone in our hour, weeks, months or years of need?
I'm curious.... Do you consider yourself that kind of friend? Would you be there in a friend's hour of need? Have you been there in a friend's hour of need? I'd like to hear your stories.
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I'd LIKE to be...
Date: 2004-05-14 03:34 pm (UTC)At other times, I'm know I've let people down. I'm not sure, tho, which is worse: KNOWING you've dropped the ball, or going on in blissful ignorance of the fact that you were in a position to do something and didn't. My known faults weigh heavily on me; I'm not sure how well I'll deal with the Great Reveal, when the reel of my life is replayed before me in every minute, unedited detail to be Judged. It is a good thing that God's Grace is infinte and given freely, rather than earned.
Re: I'd LIKE to be...
Date: 2004-05-14 04:43 pm (UTC)