I'm pretty sure I've said this all before, but it definately doesn't hurt to repeat myself. The term friend is so general that it's almost useless. Here is a defination brought to you by
dictionary.com:
A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.
A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.
One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement: friends of the clean air movement.
Well, gee.. that's like, everyone I know. Hell, that's like everyone I've yet to meet and become associated with.
Just keep that in mind for a second longer as I move on. Perhaps it is because I am an only child, but I hold friendship to a much higher standard then defined by any given dictionary. Of course, there are those generalized "friends" that everyone has, the ones that one socializes with and perhaps goes out to a club or a party together. But what about those friends that have become so personal with an individual that their lives have almost begun to intermingle? The best way for me to describe what I mean is to say it's akin to family, but mostly siblings. We all know that families fight. Older brothers pick on younger brothers. Older sisters tortures younger brothers. Younger brother's annoy the crap out of brothers and sisters alike. Sure, sounds negative, but remember, these are the same siblings that when the other is in trouble, they would DIE to save their own. This is the older brother who saves his younger brother from getting beat down by 3 bullies, this is the younger brother who punches his older sister's ex boyfriend in the face because of the heartbreak he caused her. Do you see my point?
To me, this is the same kind of bond that I would like to earn with all those who I would call friend. Yes, I said EARN, because one does not walk into a friendship assuming that this relationship will be instantaneous. One has to give a little to get a little. Now, to ME, a friend is someone who is there next to you through thick and thin. It is that few who feel comfortable enough sitting with you in the middle of nowhere, by yourselves, with nothing to do, and is content with just being there spending time. They are the ones who will tell you when they don't agree with what you have done or will do. They're the ones who tell me my new shirt makes me look like a flaming homo, when everyone else just nods politely and courteously tells me my shirt is nice. They aren't afraid to pick on me, to tease me, or to flat out insult me. And why should they be afraid? They are after all, the TRUE friend, the ones that have proven that no matter what they say, no matter what they do, they'll still be right there next to you, through all your troubles, to walk with you and guide you toward the future.
I'm the type of person that doesn't bother to even acknowledge the existance of those I consider to be beneath me. I would never give them two glances, let alone take the time to actually say anything to them, even if to demean them. So the next time I belittle you, or make you feel incompetent, just remember it's because you're more then a friend. I've reached that level of comfort with you where I'm fine with saying what's on my mind. And that makes you part of the family I never had.
You ugly bitchy babooned faced idiot.
See? It doesn't hurt so much when you know it's said out of love!