Life is usually likened to be a journey. At some points, the road may be smooth, easy, and fun, but at some points, it may be challenging, rough, and rocky. When things are going well for you and the road is smooth, a lot of people will come in to hang around you, and you may think that they are your friends. However, the test of true friends is not just about when things are going well, but when the challenges of life come. If someone comes around you just for what they will get from you or when things are going well, but will disappear if things become rough, then they are not your true friend. Your true friend should be able to stand by you even when you cannot even stand for yourself.
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There was a story I read about two friends, Leo and Mike, who were best friends in the college. They always hang out, read together, play video games during their free time. They laughed and enjoyed good moments together. One day, Leo received a saddening news that his father has passed. This completely broke him in ways you may not even imagine. He felt deeply saddened in a way that he has never felt before in his life. It made him introverted to the point that he stopped picking calls, he would stay indoors from morning to night. He stopped attending classes for days, and just sat in bed sobbing. A lot of his classmates stayed away from him, but Mike kept coming around to cheer him up and to comfort him.
Each time he came, he would not give him a generic speech that everything will be fine, rather he would stay with him, gave him a hug, and allowed him to cry on his shoulders. He would bring food for him because he had stopped cooking, and they would eat together. At some points, he would even pass the night in his house. In some of these times, they would just sit in silence, yet his presence was heavily felt. This was part of what brought his spirit back. It was not long and he started coming back to himself. His happiness started coming back. Years later, he became successful, and he did not forget the 2 weeks that Mike gave to him, because it was part of what brought him back. They even went ahead to launch a software product together because they both graduated from Software Engineering from the same university. Their friendship have become so tight because Mike stood by Leo at his lowest.
A true friend will always stay by you even when things are rough. They do not just come for the rosy path but also for the rocky path. They will not take a walk because you are facing one form of difficulty or the other. As a matter of fact, they will walk in and stay with you even when others are walking away from your life. This form of loyalty is one of the most beautiful things that an individual can experience. There are points you will get to in life and you will realise that having good people around you is an underrated blessing. At that point, you will even understand that you may have possessions or assets, but they cannot replace the companionship from a true friend.
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It is worthy to note that a true friend may not be able to solve all your problems in the times of need. They do not have to be superheroes to provide all the answers you need. But they can stand by you and you will stand tall. They can give you a listening ear. Their advice can be what you will need at that point. Their companionship can be what will restore your hope back in life. If you have someone who will walk with you through the rough paths of life, who will sit with you in the darkest of the night, and who will hold your hand and say to you "I am here with you," you will understand the true meaning of good friendship.
However, you have to know that you need to be a good friend that you want others to be to you. Are you a good friend to your friends? If you want people to stick with you, then your life has to be conducive for them. More so, you have to do the same for them. If you go all out for your friends, then they will also do the same for you. This is the reason why you have to be the kind of friend that you expect from others.
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