The doctrine of friendship is not often discussed, and whether people could write a creed or not, their behavior is affected by what they believe to be true.
My parents have some friends that they've had since before they were married. Our families have such wonderful memories. I remember well the feeling in my heart after a long day of spending time together. If I called too much attention to myself, either I would be sent to sleep in a bedroom at their house, or else we would all have to leave. I would be as invisible as possible, because I knew that if the hour was late enough and the coffee was strong enough, the adults would start to reminisce with teasing and laughter erupting.
I can see in my mind us sitting around the kitchen table as stories pour out. I've heard them all before, but if I ask the right questions, I might glean one more detail. I am leaning with my arms folded on the edge. My chin resting on my arms. My heart is glowing as I see my parents remembering. Somehow I feel safer and I see again that my parents are more than "Mom" and "Dad".
And I am inhaling my first doctrine of friendship.
1. Friends are people you can see once or twice a year and pick up right where you left off.
2. Friends have seen you embarrass yourself and laugh with you about it.
3. Friends invite you into their homes and let you eat their food.
4. Friends let you stay until way past "polite" and are more important than sleep.
I LOVE THIS!!
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