People are too quick to discard friendships these days and, almost always, discard them for reasons that should not be substantial enough to even weaken true friendships. Reasons like change in status, moving to another country or even just an argument that doesn't need be any more than a few seconds of being upset has resulted in people letting go of who they called friends. Furthermore, most people are not patient enough to see past a persons’ imperfections or just the fact that their friend may now have a weakness; they simply decide they have fallen out of love with that person.
For me it has never been like that. The chances of me letting a friend go are very low, unless that person was not truly my friend from the start. I am not quick to make friends, but once I have decide to let someone in my heart and called them my friend, it is not just for a limited period. It is not dependent on situations, once I call you friend, you're a friend forever.
Moving places or livy in a different country does not change anything. It does not matter how far you move away; growth and transitions cannot change our friendship. Those are only experiences that come with life.
I have noticed something, and it is that most people are not willing to sacrifice their own comfort and peace of mind for others and that is why most friendships do not last. Friendship should not be only about good times and pleasant conversations or just showing up only when you want to. Friendship requires effort, sacrifice. It requires the willingness to let it cost you your comfort, your money and even your time.
Friendship is a giving.
Yes, you give your time when it's not convenient. Giving your attention when you are too tired. Showing up for someone when it is not in your plan. That is where most people back away from making true friends and so true friends become very scarce.
In my life I have only had a few people I truly called friends and these people have been in my life for over three decades. Beyond childhood friendship that naturally fades away as people grows up and move in different directions in life, the friendship I chose from my teenage years has remained strong till today.
The fact that we don't see each other on a regular basis doesn't change a thing. The fact that we do not live in the same region doesn't change a thing. The bond is still there, the connection is still in tact.
I have grew up with friends from teenage years up till now we all men with families. But there is one friend I have had for the better part of my life, for more than three decades, nearly over half of my whole life. We went to school together as teenagers, grew up together, and today we are still together as men with families and that friendship is as strong, stronger even, now. And it has extended to include our wives and children.
The one thing that kept us together as friends is sacrifice and forbearance; the willingness to overlook a flaw, to stay committed to the person and stand by them even when you don't feel like it. That is what makes true friendship.
This is the kind of friend you can call upon any time and they will show up without asking too many questions, not because he's obligated to you but because of the bond you share.
That is what I called the act of friendship.