How good of a friend are you?
By winterose
@winterose (39887)
Canada
April 22, 2008 2:58pm CST
Think about this for a minute.
I happened to show up on your doorstep crying, Would you care? If I called you and asked you to pick me up because something happened, Would you come? If I had one day left to live my life; Would you be part of that last day? If I needed a shoulder to cry on, Would you give me Yours? If I called you at 3 o'clock in the morning to say my little child is sick, would you rush over to help or just tell me to call 911 and hang up?
This is something to think about, are we really as nice as we think we are or are we just hypocrites spouting platitudes.
We all claim we are such great friends, but how many of us would go that extra yard, Most of us do it when it is convenient and not before.
How good of a friend are you really?
19 people like this
63 responses
@kezabelle (2974)
•
22 Apr 08
I will do what ever I need to for a friend even if it isnt convinient, I will always put my children first so obviously sometimes I cant go rushing round the minute there is a problem but they are always welcome to cry on my shoulder here if im alone with the girls.
My best friend showed her true worth to me once when I was really really ill and rushed to hospital my partner took our eldest daughter round (before my second was born) and she said dont worry go il look after her. It came to my daughters bed time and she put her in a travel cot in her room and made the most of her sons old clothes that fit my daughter. I was finally let out at about 12pm she stayed up watching for me and told me to go straight in (she lived next door) and to get some rest she would keep my daughter there to save disturbing her she kept her there gave her breakfast etc and when my partner went to collect her she didnt even wanna come home, I will never ever forget her doing that for me especially as my daughter woke in the night and she selflessy took her into bed with her and cuddled her until she went back to sleep she is a friend in a million she really is!
4 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
25 Apr 08
now that is a really good friend, you are blessed.
2 people like this
@Nana530 (286)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Yes, I would do all of these things for my friend. And I am really a good listener so all my life I have had friends who want to tell me their problems, so I listen to them completely and just let them talk if that is what they need. I have had many friends who have helped me through hard times throughout my life and that has made me aware of just how important a true friend can be.
As a matter of fact, I think you and I shared a friendship online a few years back on another writing site amd newsletter. We somehow lost touch when I became so ill and couldn't be on the computer for a long, long time. Hello again my friend.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
22 Apr 08
I am that kind of friend, winterose! I am never too busy for my friends when they have need of me. I am not a fair-weather friend, but one who is there for the long haul. I'm the kind of friend who will part with my last dollar or leave the comfort of my home to go and sit with you when you are not feeling well. I would take care of you to the best of my ability. I would be that shoulder you need to cry on. That is just how I am.
3 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
25 Apr 08
wanna be my friend, I only have quality friends in my life.
3 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
26 Apr 08
I would love to be your friend, winterose! We can never have too many friends who are genuine in our lives. I would consider it an honor.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
29 Apr 08
Winter, I would be so happy to do all those things but there is no=one to ask me.
Anytime I have needed a friend in an emergency, even a slight one I've always had the door closed in my face. I did have a friend help me when one of my goats was ill.
Even my family tend to turn a blind eye to my needs and problems. I am very much alone. I find it very hard to ask for help because I just don't have anyone who cares.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
1 May 08
hon, I am so very sorry to hear that, if you were were closer I would do those things for you.
2 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
28 Apr 08
If I know you are on your way, I will let you in. I don't go to the door when I am not expecting anyone.I am not a mother and I don't know what to do with kids but I will go with you to the doctor for your child.I guess I am a pretty good friend, not great but pretty good.
3 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
1 May 08
If you do what you can, that is all that matters.
2 people like this
@shypoet80 (112)
• United States
28 Apr 08
I used to be the kinda friend that would answer the phone at 3 am, and drive over to help a friend when her boyfriend hit her, offer a place to stay or what ever. Offer a hard up friend a place to crash till they get back on their feet. But it seems nobody really wants to return the favour. Everytime I help out a friend I seem to get screwed over. Now, I have my own problems to deal with, so no more dealing with other peoples. Granted it is hard to block out wanting to help though.
3 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
1 May 08
I try for a balance between doing for myself and doing for my friends, and I am also fortunate enough to have really good friends as well.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
3 May 08
If you or someone showed up on my door step crying of course I would care. Now about the picking up thing I would seriously try but since I have no vechicle I would try to get someone to take me to pick you up. Of course if You wanted me to be part of yor last day then I would try to cheer up enough to help you enjoy those last 24 hours. My shoulder is here anytime someone may need it. No I wouldn't just hang up after telling them to call 911 I would try to ge there. It seems I go the extra yard sometimes but it is never appreciated mostly. I try to be a good person and I try to be there for the people who need me. My uncle even said I was the glue that held my family together because of the way I am. Everyone who needs help sometimes turns to me most. Becuase they usually know they can count on me in most cases. Life sometimes throws us a basket of lemons we can either gripe about it or make lemonade and enjoy what we can of it.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
8 May 08
yes for the most part life is what we make, we cannot always control the situation but we can try to control our attitudes toward it.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160713)
• United States
5 May 08
I think I am a pretty good friend. I have just rearranged my work schedule to be off work and cook a meal for thirty people because my friend has two children graduating this month, and she asked if I could do it. She has been that kind of a friend to me as well. Helping with two weddings in the space of six months at my house. Another friend called me when her mentally ill adoptive child needed to be restrained. This same friend kept my son while I went out on the truck with the first hubby, and drove over an hour to sit with me when my daughter had surgery on her broken elbow. I did not ask, she just showed up. I am blessed with friends that are like that, and I try to be that way myself. I could say more, but I will not toot my own horn.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160713)
• United States
9 May 08
The give and take of friendships enriches us.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
9 May 08
you are a very good friend and you have very good friends, what more can one ask for right?
2 people like this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
22 Apr 08
I would care, I would get my hubby to bring me over if you needed picking up though because I cannot drive! I certainly would be a part of your last day and we would have a blast!! I know that I am nice as I think I am as a friend, my problem is that the friends I choose are not and do not show me the same considerations!!!
3 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
25 Apr 08
yes I understand you completely that often happens, we give and give and give to our friends, but when it is our turn well they have better things to do.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
22 Apr 08
If you showed up on my doorstep crying I would bring you in and sit you down and ask you what is wrong and can I help. I hate to see someone in tears and have been there myself so i will pass it on.If you called me and asked me to pick you up since I do not drive I would call a cab and pick you up.I would lend my shoulder to you because I have been lended a shoulder so I must pay it forward. If you called me early in the morning and said your child was ill I would rush over in a cab again to pay it forward. I owe big so I must help someone else. I think I am a good friend because I have a good friend who showed me how.
3 people like this
@jhoannejoj (963)
• Philippines
22 Apr 08
Honestly I do and will do such things to my friends. I cant control myself not to help my friends though sometimes its beyond my limit already. My boyfriend always reminds me that I shouldnt exert an extra mile effort since there are some friends of mine who will not do the same thing. I dont know, but I just cant help not being there when my friends need me.
3 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
25 Apr 08
and then that makes you the special person that you are.
2 people like this
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
28 Apr 08
Hopefully, I am the kind of friend you mentioned. Hopefully, I can and do reach out to friends in whatever way I can or whatever way they require. When we love - romantic love or friend love - action speaks louder than words.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
1 May 08
yes that is the point of this post we all say we will do those things but when the time comes will we?
1 person likes this
@setroc (853)
• Philippines
20 Jun 08
i think im a good friend, well im not that fun to be with but still im a good friend, im a bad weather type of a friend, you can be sure that you can rely on me, can you rate me positive im trying to increase my star if its okay with you, thanks
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
21 Jun 08
thanks for responding hon, yes I gave you a positive rating, I don't give negative ratings.
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
23 Apr 08
I happened to show up on your doorstep crying, Would you care?
Of course! I'd rush you inside, rush the dogs outside, offer you a cup of tea, coffee or whatever and sit you down to find out what was going on and how could I help
If I called you and asked you to pick me up because something happened, Would you come?
Unfortunately I dont drive but depending on where you were I'd pay for a cab for you to get to me or see if I could arrange for a friend of mine to get you..
If I needed a shoulder to cry on, Would you give me Yours?
Again, of course!!
If I called you at 3 o'clock in the morning to say my little child is sick, would you rush over to help or just tell me to call 911 and hang up?
Well like I said I dont drive but if I could find a way to you I would certainly be there and in a case like that my husband would most likely take me..
I ALWAYS go the extra mile and then some for the ppl in my life and even for ppl I dont know..I open my door and home for ppl in need whenever its doable (obviously there are possible times when its not in my families best interest but in situations like that I find another option)...Convenience isnt an issue in fact I've actually put my own issues or my family etc on the backburner in order to help someone....Both my husband and I were notorious for helping ppl out finacially even when we really couldnt afford it and so on...Its just the way it is with us...Now I'm actually caring to a fault as some have said but its just natural for me ya know...
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
25 Apr 08
you are a very wonderful person, I would be honored to know both you and your husband.
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
22 Apr 08
I certainly will go the extra mile for a friend. Several years ago, I did child care for free when one of my friends was in the hospital. She had a two year old that was a challenge to watch, as I couldn't do anything else while watching him.
I believe a true friend would spend the last day with a friend that was living their last day. I'm sure I would be there quickly and hope my friends would come right away.
Many years ago when I married one of my relatives was suppose to be at my wedding as my maid of honor and didn't even bother to call me, as she informed another person that she would not be able to be there. One of my friends that wasn't suppose to be in the wedding agreed to be my maid of honor at the last minute. She even paid for her new dress. I was so happy to have such a good friend.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
25 Apr 08
when you think about it good friends are a rare find.
1 person likes this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
22 Apr 08
I can say I am really a good friend. I am always willing to be with them in whatever trials they are experiencing in life and willing to take extra mile for them. But, I am choosy also about friends! due to past experiences too, when they are on my list, I will really fight for them and never expect any payment except their sincerity and being genuine to our friendship!
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
25 Apr 08
me too I am choosy about my friends, and I can honesty say they are all wonderful people.
1 person likes this
@bdugas (3578)
• United States
25 Apr 08
i feel if you are a true friend then you are there for them whenever you are needed, if you came to my door crying I would let you in and see what is the matter and can I do anything to help, or find a way to make it better or stop what it was making you cry, or maybe you just need to get something off your chest, what is a few minutes of my time to help.
If you needed a ride cause your car broke down or was towed and you needed me to come get you, and I was not tied up I would come or tell you if you give me a few minutes to get out of this I will be there, but you will have to wait till I get done, sometimes we can not just drop what we are doing. If it was the last day of your life I would want to be there to spend it with you, to be apart of it to remember you as a wonderful friend that I am losing, if you called me at 3am and said your child was sick, and needed someone to come to be with you I would come to give you support and maybe just sit with you while you hold him. That is if that was possible and I didn't not have small children that I could not leave. In each of your questions I don't think it is the fact of being a true fiend but whether it is possible to do what you ask at the time. I know if I'm a friend I'm there no matter what it takes as long as it is not something so unreasonable. I know last night on the phone I made a remark to what is suppose to be my best friend about $40. I needed by tonight, and I know that they have it and I have helped them in many ways before and they just kink of changed the subject, It got me to wondering is this really a friend or someone who as long as you don't need anything i'm here. I try to be as good a friend as I can, and if I can't do something at the time I try to explain why, and hope you don't think I am trying to avoid you, I think we all need one friend tht is there no matter what.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
1 May 08
Yes hon, you are a really good friend and you know how to balance a friendship.
1 person likes this
@Cocoa33 (921)
• United States
25 Apr 08
i am a good friend. i would be an ear if you had a problem that was stressing a my friend. i would do what i can do to help. i wouldn't lie to my friend about something if there was something they wanted to know.
i believe being a friend u must straight up. tell the truth even if its hurts. it means being loyal to one another, and having one best interest at heart. no back biting each other.
2 people like this