Please share a time/experience when you realized who your true friends are

[jordyonbass]

Whenever I have moved interstate, always stay in contact with the people who I have wanted to know and that's how I have built my friendships over the last 10 years. Naturally I have mates living a long distance away who I won't speak to for long periods of time and it's always like it's the next day when we catch up.

Interestingly enough, I have had to step back from my one friend who I have been closest to for the longest time. He hasn't treated me and others very well over the last 12 months and I am at a point in my life where my kindness has been pushed to it's limits and I am not willing to put up with as much crap anymore. Instead of put him on blast for it I am quietly separating myself from him, although he would be too oblivious to notice that.

 

[CJ2008]

Tons of hugs missy

 

[lyra]

When we had to move across the country for work, we left behind a life full of family, friends and even (the horror!) entertaining. The relationships we had then all fell away gradually. Having a permanent distance killed off everything over time. It was stressful and depressing as hell to be honest. I wasn't in a good frame of mind for a few years, because after 1 year in his new position, DH was let go. He was brought out here to set up a particular business because of this expertise, and then when that was done they fired him. So that was a horrible time. And it happened more than once more. So yeah, I think I hardened my heart and just didn't really bother. Now I'm older and really it doesn't bug me as much. I get to do my own thing. It's lonely sometimes, but on the other hand, having people around wears me out. I think that's the main symptom of an introvert.

 

[luv2sparkle]

First of all, BIG Hugs to you Missy! You have gone through so much in the last few years, I wish I could make life easier for you.
I have been blessed with many good friends in my life. I have found that although some friendships don't withstand the test of time, that doesn't mean they weren't perfect for the particular season of life they were in. Sometimes, they are just not meant to be longer.

I had one friend for my 20's and early 30's. We got married at the same time and had three kids within months of each and later a 4th about the same time. She started having marital problems and ended up getting a divorce. I think it was very hard on her that we were happy. When I would bring my daughter to her house I would have a hard time getting her back. I would call and they would say, oh let her stay another day. My daughter would want to come home and they wouldn't let her! I loved my friends mom as well but that put me over the top.
After her, I had another good friend, whom I call my heart friend. We think alike. We pick the same things. She lived here for about 5 years and has moved away for 20. We would talk on the phone long distance for hours. We have maintained our friendship for a lot of years but I think it is waning now a bit. And that is okay.
Then there is Gail. She has been my friend for over 25 years and now she is my daughters mother in law. Probably the most troubling relationship. However, when my son was brain injured in a car accident in 2003- I don't know what we would have done without Bruce and Gail. They drove a 100 miles to have thanksgiving with my family close to the hospital and took my boys home with them for weeks and took them to Disneyland. Our families weren't there for us like they were. I try to remember that often because most of the time now I want to hurt her. (Not literally though,lol) She is a completely different person than I thought she was, and super passive aggressive and competitive with me. I am not competitive at all and don't understand why anyone would want to behave that way.

So I just try to love her anyway, in spite of everything. Some days I do better than others frankly.

 

[valeria101]

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I was surprised a few times by Friendship (avec majuscule) - entirely unexpected !