Thoughts on The Invitation - part 4

OK, I am really having a hard time with all this mushy feelings stuff. I will be changing topics soon because this is getting a little too "metro" for my taste. But for now, continuing with our contemplations...

4. "I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human."

Basically, I want to know if you are a true friend. Are you going to be beside me through good times and bad? Will you listen and not judge? Sometimes we don't want answers, we want empathy. The world is full of "band wagoners" who are quick to share in our happiness and success. What is rare is a friend who respects you as a person, who looks at your soul and likes what they see. Spouses don't count, they are "supposed" to be there, til death do us part. Real friendships are the ones that are hard to come by. I have been guilty of being a one-way friend myself. It is really hard to put your opinions to the side, or to take time out of your busy schedule to just be there. This is one area of my life I am working to change. I have a friend who is like that - it does not matter what he is doing or how bad things are, if I need him he is there, no questions asked. I now know how it feels to know someone has got your back and that if you are alone it is by choice because they are only a phone call away. That is the type of person I inspire to be, but it is hard, damn hard. What is more sad is that I have not given this person the credit for this. I have not thanked him or told him how much it means to me. What's worse is I have not reciprocated that kindness. Well, that changes today. It is time for a visit.

I cannot think of anything better I could wish for you than to find that person in your life whom you can really count on. Odds are, this person already exists and there may even be more than one. If not, call me - I need the practice.

CJ