estimating the inestimable
friend ( P ) Pronunciation Key (frnd)
n.
A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.
A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.
One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement: friends of the clean air movement.
Friend A member of the Society of Friends; a Quaker.
When did the definition and application of this word become so tainted? As cliche these thoughts that come into mind may be, I am so far beyond perplexed at the selfishness of almost everyone around me. Even everyone who ISN'T around me. Day by day I can't help but realize that friends are becoming acquaintances are becoming people I met once are becoming unknowns because of ridiculous and immature debates and disagreements that are not even worth the seconds of breath they take up. Today we had an officer meeting and it's amazing how one person, one word, one stupid comment can change the attitudes and relationships between so many people.. and so easily. It's depressing to know that the people you once shared so much with and had such amazing times with make it the hardest thing to even share a kind word anymore. It's all pretending, and for what? Because you didn't want to hang out one night, because you shared the same immature feelings for the same immature high school boy, because you didn't have the same views on subtext. And now, friends that I'm not even close to any percent of my time, despite via AIM (which I refuse to include) are accusing and separating and drifting because of what?? Because of taking things that are impersonal, to the personal level. It's quite possibly the most depressing thing in the universe to know that the people you looked forward to hanging out with and looked forward to sharing quality time with, can't do that anymore because people have the inability to truly forgive and move beyond petty differences. Maybe its me being selfish, but I hate seeing my best friend lose another friend because of something so... feeble. I hate seeing two of the people I truly care about in such an awkward state that they have to lie to be happy. And I especially hate the pretense of not caring, because, even I care and it hurts me and I'm not even an immediate victim of any of it.
The horrible factor of all of this, is that nobody can do life, do anything, on their own. Despite hatred, despite conceit.. even pure evil individuals seek comfort in something, in someone. Having a friend, being a friend, used to be so valued, and now its so taken advantage of that its hard to call anybody a friend anymore. Maybe not on both ends, but atleast on one. I refuse even to bring God into this situation, because even I know as a christian that people without a set religion need some kind of confidant. I hope I'm not the only one who is disappointed by all of this..by society's placing a price on something so inestimable, so irreplacable and turning it into something... beaureaucratic, and impartial.
P.S. - happy monday to all.