Are you there for you friend when they are going through a difficult time?

United States
March 17, 2009 7:52pm CST
I have a friend that has been going through a very difficult time. I will not say exactly what it is. But it involves one of her children and also grandchildren. She just starts feeling positive again, and then the rug is pulled out from her again. This just continues. I find that some kids do not think of the results of their actions, or they just don't care about their parent, no matter how much they have supported them. It is really a shame. I am there for my friend, for her to use me as a sounding board, to take her to the doctor if need be, or just to be there to keep her company, even if she says no, she is ok. After over 20 years, we just know when they other would really like someone around, even if we say no. We just show up for the other.
5 people like this
14 responses
@paoxav (1382)
• Philippines
18 Mar 09
Yes I am. As often as I can. That's the time you'll know if a friend is really a friend. If they're around on the times you need them. Friend will always be there no matter what and will help you through thick and thin. If they let you down, then they don't deserved to be called a friend. Just a typical person you know..
2 people like this
18 Mar 09
To me friendship is an eternal feeling just like love..to me friends are the persons who will be there with u for the whole of your life..Well i think the person who is beside you at your bad times & can & will do anything to help you from the disaster you r going through is the best friend that one get.. Well I would like to share an experience with you all out there that i had friend of mine a very long time back in my school days whose name i don't want to reveal was a very good friend of mine.Once it happened so that one of my other friend was in want of money because of his mother's treatment of a sickness whose treatment was very expensive.This friend of my told us about his problem & we helped him as much as we could.As we were all school students we had a very limited amount with us to help him to collect about 10000 rupees for the treatment.After all collections it was found that he still was sort of about Rs 500.he was very tensed about the fact that he was unable collect the whole amount..Then the friend about whom I was speaking at first came to know about the problem,knowing this what he did was beyond our imagination at our school days.He did a small job some ware which was very hazardous & exhaustive & earned the deficit of Rs 500.. Till today both of those friends are the best friends...This is what I say is a good friendship..
• United States
19 Mar 09
That is wonderful that all of you were able to help your friend and his mother, that is true and loyal friendship. And the one person went out of his way to earn the extra amount needed, that is truly wonderful too. My friend has helped my husband and I out through the rough time with the economy. When I am out of groceries, she will give us several bags of groceries. Which was totally a surprise, and it helped us out so much. She has done this over the years when we have had difficult times. And when we are back on our feet, when we are able to purchase meat, we will give them alot of meat for their freezer. So one hand helps the other, without having to ask for help. That truly is a good friendship. Thank you for sharing your wonderful story with us. Hugs MaryLynn
@sagnik42 (3592)
• India
18 Mar 09
that was really sweet of your friend.i appreciate that.i hope they remain friends for ever.I have helped my friends.Atleast have tried.I don't know how many time it was useful,though.But i could have never been able to do anything like your friend.That was awesome.Good day mate.Wanna be friends???
1 person likes this
20 Mar 09
Well this is indeed a vry good & generous friendship....i personally think tht helping others is the bst achievement one can have in his or her life time....helping others requrs a lot of courage & faith...in my school days all of my teachers & friends still today remember me as the boy who can help others by means.....neways i dont wnt to beat my own drums but the fact is i get a lot of satisfaction by helping others....
@balasri (26537)
• India
20 Mar 09
I am known fr volunteering my help to any person readily among my circle.Friends count on me and I never let them down.I am the first person to help my friends when they need it.
1 person likes this
@balasri (26537)
• India
21 Mar 09
Happy to be a friend with a like minded person like you.
• United States
20 Mar 09
So am I, and that to me is friendship, just to lend a helping hand, or a ear for listening, can be very helpful at times. Sometimes just listening and offering no advice is good too.
• Regina, Saskatchewan
18 Mar 09
To those friends I have a history with, yes, absolutely I am always there for them. But since this net invention thing, I have a hard time keeping up with all my friends. But they have my email.........and I'm always at the other end of that, and there for them.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Mar 09
That is great. I have DSL so I am able to answer the phone when my friend calls. She doesn't have the internet. Wish she did, it would help so much.
1 person likes this
• Regina, Saskatchewan
18 Mar 09
Email, live chat, webcams, skype............yes, your friend definitely needs the net! lol
@Humbug25 (12540)
18 Mar 09
Hi MaryLynn321 I sure am here, there and anywhere when my friends need me. I have a friend right now who is having some serious issues with her neighbour and that is getting her down. She is often around my house making phone calls and using my pc. I sit her down, discuss things with her and make her coffee and fix her lunch. By the time she has left my house she is at least feeling a bit better if not a lot! What are friends for eh? I know she is there for me too but things for me right now are fine, thankfully I do hope that the situation for your friend eases up real soon.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 09
I sure hope it will ease up for her and her hubby as well as the rest of her family. Yes it involves everyone. It is really a difficult situation, one I would not wish on anyone. But with the help of family and friends, they will find the strength to get through this. I am so glad that you are there for your friend. Like you said what are friends for. So very true. Thank you for commenting. Hugs
• Philippines
18 Mar 09
Well,I was always there when they needed me. When a friend of mine has a difficulty or needs comfort of course I am there for them. I always tell them I am just a text away. Well, even though we are miles apart, we still keep in touch.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 09
so very true taki_takaisshi. I too am only a phone call away, or by car 1/2 hour away, all she has to do is call, and I hear how down she is, and I just tell her I am on the way, if I don't have a car that day, she comes and picks me up. It is great to be there for someone who needs it, and it is great when they are there for you.
• United States
20 Mar 09
So true, we definitely feel alone when something happens, and it always feels good to have someone around that is there to listen.
• Philippines
19 Mar 09
It really feels good when you are with the person you are trying to comfort. It will also be a big help for them and to let them know that they are not alone in this world.
1 person likes this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
19 Nov 11
I have always been there for my friends, infact sometimes I think I get too involved with their problems seeing as usually I am the only one that seem to try and help them and it is usually only me there at the end.
• United States
19 Nov 11
I agree with you Lilaclady. I too sometimes am the only one that puts forth effort to help a friend out. Even when I know they are not always there for me. I try to be as helpful as I can, without intruding.
@zenki08 (700)
• Philippines
18 Mar 09
I would certainly be there for my friend in time of need. That is the main concept of friendship, being there for each other. I myself had my share of problems in my life and all of my true friends have been there for me. And I would like to say that it is in my nature to help a friend in need.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Mar 09
It is in my nature as well. I am a Pisces. It is great to be there for others. And it is wonderful when they are there for you as well. Like you said that is what the concept of friendship means. Thank you for your comment
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
18 Mar 09
You are a good friend. I like to think that I would be there for my friends no matter what as they have been for me. It is a true friend that will stick around for the dark times and vice versa. Have your heard the saying. "A friend will help you hide. A true friend will help you hide a body" ? I guess it's during the tough times that your friends will show their true colours. I hope I can be as good a pal as you when I am needed! All the best to your friend, I hope things work out for her soon!
• United States
18 Mar 09
Thank you Paula, I have a feeling, that it will be sometime before things work out for her. But, will keep praying that things change soon. She is not doing real good and has health problems as well. I hope I can continue to always be a good friend. Hugs Mary
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
18 Mar 09
Your friend is very lucky to have your support. Not many people will go above and beyond for their friends in honest and generous ways. I'm sure your friend truly appreciates every thing you do for her.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 09
Thank you. I spent a few hours with her for the past couple of days. Today she was a bit more up beat, but I could see when her mood was slipping, and then would think of something to chat about to get her mind off of the problems. Sometimes just being silly helps, it at least gets her laughing and gets the endorphins going. She is going away for a conference for a few days with her hubby, so it will be good for the 2 of them to get away. Thank you for your comment.
@HelloMickey (1655)
• Hong Kong
18 Mar 09
I would like my friends with me if I have difficulties. So I would do the same for them. You friend is glad that having a friend like you. Good luck~
• United States
19 Mar 09
Thank you Mickey, Somedays I am not sure how helpful I am being, I am their to listen, and for her to bounce things off of if need be. She does the same for me. We have gone through similar situations, hers is a bit more difficult then mine was. So I understand what she is going through, because I have been there. When I leave she always thanks me, and that makes me feel good, and makes me feel that the time spent with her was helpful. Thank you for commenting.
• Taiwan
18 Mar 09
When we are sad or angry, we need someone to be a good listener.My mather-in-law has suffered much from the family of her husband. Her husband is not good-tempered but now is a cancer patient. She wants to be a nun but can't.She has to take care about him,so she is always complainting to her two sons,but nobody listens to her.After we live together,i notice that and often chat with her.Gradually,she becomes happier and smiles everyday.I;m also glad to help her go through the unpleasant time:)
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Mar 09
That is wonderful of you. It is good that you have a good relationship with your Mother-in-law and that you are able to help her out. It is a wonderful thing to be able to help someone through difficult times, and to see the happy results too.
@jane9147 (252)
• Philippines
18 Mar 09
physically?? sometimes i wasn't there. my friends and i live far from each other but we always keep in touch with each other especially when one of us is facing problem. even if we aren't on each other's side physically, we try to help in any way possible.
• United States
19 Mar 09
I too can not always be there. But, I am on the other end of the phone, if I can't be there in person. And she is there for me as well. That is what friendship is all about. Hugs
@marc1874 (83)
18 Mar 09
My friend has went through quite a torrid life to say the least. I have always stuck by him and made sure he was ok through everything that has happened. Like yourself i will not display the ins and outs of what has happened, but the things that have happened most would have not got through it all and be the way he is today.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 09
I totally agree with you. My friend has been through some really tough situations as well. But, together and with her family we all manage to help her through it. It only helps us all to be a little more stronger. I am glad that you have been there for your friend as well. It is just a place that we feel we need to and want to be. When ever the need arises.