A friend

There are certain things that constitute a true friend. And there are definitely many arguments for and against these various attributes. What one considers to be a true friend will vary depending on the person, their background, and the types of friends they have come into contact with. One attribute for me has certainly been sticking out lately, which is whether or not you can tell your friend something that has been weighing on your mind and not being scared of their reaction.

How do you feel when you have gotten to know someone really well and you begin to really respect them, but then you come to find out, you really can’t tell them everything. There are certain things that if you told them, you know they would freak out, or blow it completely out of proportion. Or how about when you already know they’re going to be mad, but you decide to risk telling them anyway, because you trust their judgment.

“I have to tell you something, but I know you’re going to be mad at me.”

“Oh, well then don’t tell me, because then I’m just going to be mad for the rest of the day.”

Really? Can’t you put aside your own feelings for two seconds of your life and hear me out? Obviously I consider you to be a good friend, otherwise I wouldn’t even bother trying to tell you. And now I really can’t, because you flat out don’t want to hear it. How is that being a friend?

Sometimes, all I really want is to be able to tell my friends things, and not worry about their reaction.
Sometimes, I just need a listening ear, and I don’t want any advice.
Sometimes, I just want to vent.
Sometimes, I just want someone to listen to me and just be there for me with open arms.

Sometimes, I just need a friend.