The Importance and Purpose of Lifelong Friendship

Summary

The article discusses the importance and purpose of lifelong friendship, focusing on the author's relationship with their friend Molly.

Abstract

The article highlights the significance of lifelong friendships, using the author's relationship with Molly as an example. The author explains that while we cannot choose our family, we can choose our friends, who become the people we confide in and understand us deeply. The author shares the story of their friendship with Molly, which began in the second grade and continued through high school and beyond. They describe how they complemented each other's personalities and helped each other grow. The author also mentions how Molly was there for them during difficult times, such as the death of their brother. The article ends by discussing the challenge of living in different states but emphasizes the value and worth of friendship, even when physical distance separates friends.

Opinions

The author believes that friendships are important and can be more meaningful than family relationships.
The author values the complementary nature of their friendship with Molly, where they helped each other grow and learn.
The author appreciates Molly's support during difficult times, such as the death of their brother.
The author believes that physical distance does not diminish the value and worth of a friendship.

The Importance and Purpose of Lifelong Friendship

We do not get to choose the family we are brought into, but we do get to choose our friends. The ones we will confide in, the ones that when we give a simple look or expression, know exactly what we are thinking. The ones that will know us better than we know ourselves.

I could write a whole book on all of the beautiful friendships I have had and do have. The lessons I have learned from each of them. The joy and sorrow we’ve all shared. But for me, when I think about the one friendship that has stood the test of time, it is my Molly.

Molly and I were both born in April of the same year. It was almost the universe’s way of saying, there can not be one without the other, my soul sister. We first met in the second grade. She was always incredibly smart, although I am sure she would tell you differently. I would copy off of her work. Whether she realized it or not, she helped me learn how to count change.

Through the decades, we came in and out of each other’s lives, making small cameos here and there, whether we shared a classroom together or were at a birthday party. It would not be until we were in the trials and tribulations of high school that we became the leading roles in each other’s life. Thank heavens for that, because I do not know how we would have survived those tough years without one another.

We have always been the perfect yin to each other’s yang. She is the one who always took chances, no matter how risky, while I tended to be the more reserved one, who always took the safest route possible. While I helped her stay on course she helped me live a little. She helped me realize you have to make mistakes to know who you are and to continue to grow.

When my brother died, no one was there for me like Molly was. Constantly at my side. It did not matter if it was morning, day, or night, she was there. Having someone help lift the load off of my shoulders, carrying me when I did not have the strength to go on. It is the true testament of friendship. It is not just being there when times are good, but when they are bad.

When you look back at the events that have taken place, the people that surround you, you can not help but think maybe there is a little destiny behind it. That those people are put in front of us for a reason.

When my parents were first married, they lived in a small 900-square-foot house. The classic starter home. As they grew into their home and got to know their neighbors, develop their friendships, my father would have small casual conversations with their mailman. Small conversations, just in passing. We would not put the equation together until much later, but it turned out that Molly’s father had been my parent’s mailman in their neighborhood well before the two of us were even thought of. Funny how lives can circle each other, even before we are put on this Earth.

One of the greatest challenges we have had to face is living in different states. We have had the luxury of always being within five to 40 minutes of one another. But the day came where an adventure was calling Molly to move and relocate. This would be the first time in our lives where we would be separated by distance.

The value and worth of friendship are knowing that while you may not be there in the physical sense, you are still very much present in each other’s lives. As they say, if you can go weeks without talking and still manage to pick up right where you have left off then I think it is safe to say you have something special.

With all the friendships we procure and nurture throughout our lifetime, there are those that would hope to have many friends, rather than a few good ones. The selfish thought is thinking that quantity over quality reflects being rich in friendship. Through my experience, I’ll take the few and more meaningful ones.