A Friend in Need…

A few weeks ago, I did not answer my phone immediately when one of my friends called me. The funny thing about this is that I was teaching a class and she simply forgot what day it was; so when her memory failed her, her imagination took over. After the calls I couldn’t answer, I was too tickled as I laughed at the text messages I could not answer. Based on the tone, she was ready to be like Warren G, and shout, “regulators, mount up.” I can laugh at this, because in this instance, nothing was wrong, but we know that is not always the case.

You know how people always say, “check on your strong friend”? This is a sentiment that rings very true, but depending on your circle, just about every last one of your friends is the “strong friend”. It’s just a good thing that you do not always fall apart at the same time. When it comes to your strong friends, you have to know how to help and when to help because rest assured, they won’t say a thing! You have to be astute enough in the study of your friends to know when to move in, when to hover, and when to standby. A few years back, I was going through something and one of my best friends called to check in on me. Personally, I did not feel like being bothered, but that just didn’t sit right with her so she called one of our other friends, hit the road, and a few hours later, my door bell rang. I sat there thinking, ‘I did not invite a God-blessed sole over here…no invite, no entry!’ LOL! That philosophy does not work well with people on a mission; not only did they know the holder of my spare key, but given the right circumstances, I have no doubt that they would have become master lock pickers if I did not answer. Anywho, I say all that to say, it does not matter what it was or what it is, when you know your friends, you know how to move, even if it’s just to be there.

You have the strong friend that will not ask for help, the strong friend that smiles when you know they are hurt, the friend that is exhausted from carrying the baggage of others, the friend that over extends themselves to make sure other people are happy, the friend who is struggling in ways no one expects because what the world sees is someone who has it all together, the strong friend that has trouble saying no… this list goes on. But the power in being a friend is hearing a voice on the other end and being able to detect an issue simply because you know how your sister moves. Don’t hassle them to talk, just be there when they are ready to do so. In the case of being the strong friend, remember that it is ok to not always be strong. It is ok to be exactly who you are exactly where you are!

Your strong friends have the phrase “I’M GOOD” on lock”, but when they are ready, be sure that you are in place as the GREAT friend to give them a soft place to land when they are ready to break. We all have our moments of brokeness, but if there is anything great about being broken is that you can pick up the pieces and build yourself up even stronger knowing the magnitude of the women surrounding you who will never hesitate to serve as your anchors.

To be a friend and have a friend is a privilege. I count my sister as my friend, we do not all have a real-life sister, but we can still have F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (Family Related by Invitation, Extended by Neverending Devotion). When you choose the right ones, you will never go at it alone.

Song: You’ve Got A Friend: Carol King

That’s What Friends Are For: Dionne Warwick & Friends (Gladys Knight, Elton John, Stevie Wonder)