A Friend for Life
A story for those looking for that one true friend.
Once there was a woman who wanted a friend for life. She longed for someone to always fall back on, always dependable. It couldn’t be here parents. Her father had died already and wasn’t her mother already getting old? She didn’t have any siblings, so a friend it had to be. Was it to have a quiet loving friendship or her fear of dying alone?
Then one day, late in her study years she made a friend, who felt different. He was deeper and not judgemental towards her in any way. He listened and accepted her as she was, complete with all her insecurities. Most of her other friends were often commenting on her looks, clothing, choices. It was like they all expected certain behaviour from each other in order to fit in. He was the exception, and supported her in her own choices.
And those the first years their friendship grew slowly but steadily. But then she started to worry. What if he fell in love with her? For sure she’d reject him then. Or what if she needed him, but he got a job in another city? Her worries actually created some distance between them. They tried to talk it out, but her reasoning made him understand her less. Then after a few months without any contact she went to see him and simply said, “I miss you.”
Over the years she was always careful with friends. Some left her because of that. Some gave up on coming closer than on whatever their friendship was based in the first place. She had sporting friends, dinner & movie friends, professional friends, but none came closer than her one true friend. But was he her true friend for life? Truly? She dared not hope too much, so didn’t build on this.
Then one day, too young, she got sick. Her doctor told her it was cancer. He give her little chance to make it beyond half a year. That evening she cried in the arms of her best friend. And as she got sicker, he was the true friend who was there for her.
Then as she lay in her death bed, she first looked schmuck for a short moment. She had done it. She had had a friend for life. And then a terrible shame hit her. She had always been afraid he would leave her alone. And now he would be the one left alone. She had kept him at a distance, because of her fears, while he always had been there for her. He hardly had anyone else anymore, because he had been there for her in her worst moments. She had acted so undeserving.
Next morning when he visited her, she held his hands and cried. Then she asked for forgiveness for leaving him all alone. He cried too. He kissed her on her cheek and said, “I wouldn’t have it another way. It all has been worth it.” And she looked flustered and loved him so deeply as a human and a friend she thought she would burst. All that longing for this feeling, she could have had so many years earlier, if she had only dared to truly love.
And his last gift for her was that he saw when she shone with love and how this shine left her, when she allowed all her regrets to ruin her mood. “Stay here, with me,” he whispered. And she did, until she died with tears of gratitude in her eyes.
To find a friend for life, means you have to be a friend for life.
