On Friendship

There is a difference between an acquaintance and a friend.  An acquaintance is someone known causally and may even be someone one sees and does things with.  But friends are two people who are close to each other in an intimate and familiar way.  They enjoy each other's company and can rely upon each other, but most importantly they can trust and confide in one another.  Friends share each other's joys and sorrows.  And through sharing and listening, they are able to perceive what each other's thoughts, ideas and situations are, so overtime a relationship develops where there is understanding without words.  A true friend is someone who is compassionate, one who is able to feel the pain and suffering of his or her friend as if it was their own.  A loyal friend is valuable should be treasured and treated with care and kindness.  Someone said once, that "friends are our chosen family."