Friends in Need, Friends Indeed

As we go through life sometimes it can be a lonely journey. Other times, we are crowded out with fellow travelers. Most of the time, it is a happy medium, being somewhere in the middle.

It is good to belong. To feel a part of life. To feel a part of something real and long lasting. To be able to share our journey with others. To be able to experience the highlights of life with others. And this also means sharing the lowlights, the lesser and more troubling occurrences, too. Taking the rough with the smooth in life’s rich tapestry.

And this belonging and sharing grants us (mutual) support through life. Helping and assisting us through our daily affairs. Letting us reach each day's end, not just in one piece, but with a feeling of love and gratitude in our heart that life has been there for us that day.

But, that is not always our experience. Some times are much harder than others. Sometimes, we are at the abyss. To move forward appears doomed. To move back is to return to the darkness from which we just left. A time when we are in real need. A time of loneliness. A time of distraction. A time of uncertainty. A time of soul searching. A time of indecision. A time of stress. A time of need. Indeed, a time of need.

But whatever the circumstance, life realizes our need and can send a benevolent friend to our aid. Sometimes previously known to us, but other times not. But no matter, a friend for us when the chips are down. It may occur in response to our little prayer. Other times, seemingly out of the blue. But that so badly needed help, guidance, support and assistance manifests before us. In front of our very eyes - or so it seemed when we later look back upon the episode (with clearer eyes).

But at times, when we are in the greatest of needs, a special moment or special time can manifest for us. The friend appears and our situation changes. The friend (or friends) being there for a short time only. And, known or not known to us, in our time of real need. An unselfish offering, a shoulder here, a quiet word there. A quiet companion. Often strongest, when they are there for us in a quiet but dignified way, letting us express our situation and allowing us to overcome in our own time on our own terms.

And then, they are away and out of our life again. So privileged, when it happens to and for us. And our life again is on an even keel. The sun in the sky and the storm clouds a thing of the past. And being reunited with our inner selves, perhaps the greatest joy that we experience from the whole episode.

And always remember that we can reciprocate the gesture and be there for our friend. So fulfilling when we take quite naturally, quite willingly, the ‘helper’ role to help a friend, or loved one or even a stranger in their moment of need.

Be it a transitory passing or a substantial episode. Being there for another human being, and especially a good friend, is one of life’s most uplifting and rewarding experiences.

Let us just pray that we are not blinkered and miss our opportunity to assist a fellow traveler in life when their chips are down. Being there for them is part of our contribution to life. And a rich experience and fulfilling one is there for us, if we have the eyes to see and the heart and awareness to unselfishly offer ourselves.