On Friendship

A Poem and Tribute

Today I’m sharing reflections on the chosen family we find in friendship, and the bonds that teach us trust, love, and belonging. There is the family we are born into. Some members we might get along with well, while others can be a challenge. Complex family patterns and generational trauma are probably things many of us have to deal with. There may be deep-felt bonds, intuitive understanding, and love, but also unhealthy competition, coldness, and yes—maybe even hate. It can cost us a lot to break free from what feels almost like karmic repetition, to find our own identities, peace of mind, and truth within all of this. Expectations, obligations, guilt, and responsibilities—families can be a lot. Friends are the family we choose. Another soul that just gets it. Someone who chose us, out of many, as worthy of love, trust, and unshakable loyalty. Friendships may be forged through circumstances, survival, or shared passions and interests—for books, for movies, for jokes, for drinks, for sports, or even for the mutual dislike of a teacher or green olives.

Friendships have been, and still are, what have taught me the most about feeling safe and loved for nothing more than simply—being me. For this, I am beyond grateful. I take forever to call someone a friend—probably because of trust issues, a result of my life’s history. Time reveals the true character of a person, and I don’t give my trust easily. But when I do, I’m all in, and it feels good to live with my heart open.

On Friendship - A Poem and Tribute

My friend is all I need.

The one who carries my secrets in a box—like treasures,

because they are the pledge of trust between the two of us.

The ugly ones mingle with the gemstones of life—

some so heavy that I could speak them only once,

and still they are here never judged,

for in this wonderful we, they all belong equally.

Witnesses of the history we share.

You for me, and me for you—

that is what we’ll always be.

This one friend who holds my truth like a shield

is enough to get me through.

When I lose faith in everything I am,

and all I could possibly be—

when I can no longer carry it myself—

my friend just holds it for me.

My vulnerability is never turned against me in anger,

even if we may disagree.

Unconditional love has brought us laughter

as we watched our lives tangled in chaos,

with struggles neither of us could have ever foreseen.

Whoever says blood runs thicker than water

has never had a friend who chose them,

as I am chosen and am blessed to be.

The universal question—

am I worthy of love?—

finds its answer in the golden truth

that someone embraces this imperfect me.

Let all hell break loose, and let the skies fall down on my head.

I will be fine—because I’ve got you.

I’d love to hear your stories about friendship and what it means to you. Feel free to reply or share this poem with someone who matters.