A Friend's Appreciation

Strangers. That was how we started. Dalawang tao na napadpad sa isang lugar. May kanya-kanyang pangarap sa buhay. May kanya-kanyang ninanais makamit. Kanya-kanyang prayoridad. But as we both know, no man is an island. So to survive the life we are into, we have to mingle and befriend the people around us. And so we had our first "Hi's" and "Hello's." We gave our complete names and then asked for the nicknames. And at first, there were times that we even forgot each other's names (o baka ako lang yun).

In a friendly approach, a big smile at your face, and with a hand ready for handshake or wave, you said "Hi! I'm ___. Anong name mo?" (i am sure na hindi ako ang unang nagpakilala, shy type ako eh).

Then we asked things that we can see from a plain resume, but not all.

"Saan ka nakatira?"

"Ilang taon ka na?"

I am also sure na makailang beses tayong nagsabi ng fillers na "hmmmm," at "aaaahhh," bago tayo nagtanong ulit. The usual awkward moments when you don't know what you have to say to make the conversation longer.

After minutes of knowing basic and simple information, we were more comfortable to each other's company, and to retain the closeness, we decided to stay together.

"Saan ka kakain mamaya?"

"Saan way mo pauwi?"

In the end, one of us would say, "sabay tayo ah." And the other would agree, "Okey lang, sige."

Days passed, and of course, hindi lang naman tayo ang tao sa mundo, so we met other people, talked to them, asked the same questions and befriend them. Asked them to join us or they asked us to join them. We even had our different circle of friends. But we were still together. Kaya mas nakilala pa natin ang bawat isa.

We knew things that can be read from a slum book.

Birthday

Religion

Favorite color

Favorite cartoon character

Most embarrassing moment

Who is your crush?

As time went by, we experienced more things. Some situations were just simple, but there were things that triggered our emotions and/or beliefs that made us shift our personal views and we had our better understanding towards each other.

Ay! Naiinis pala siya kapag ganito.

Natutuwa pala siya kapag ganyan.

And as things went on, acceptance and love for each other arrived, thus true meaning of friendship was revealed.

Best friendship, as they say, was never between two people who share the same attitude, but with two people who knows their differences but chose to stay together. And as what every relationship is, it is a decision between people to be together. It is their decision to make it last.

So blessed are those who meet lots of people, but found true friendship, even though not from all of those, but with those real people who decided to stay with them. Well, I am one of those blessed ones (thanks be to God).

Life is good. But it is not as simple as we literally spell it. There are lots of hardships. Challenges. But God sends us His spiritual love through the people who are physically around us. He whispers His messages to us through the people who can voice them out. And these people are what we call FRIENDS.

People who are not only there during fun times, but friends who never leave no matter what mess you have done (parang nung naglasing lang ako nung nakaraan).

People who are not only present when they need you, but friends who are never absent when you need them, may it be physically, or through text messaging, or even facebook (kahit na paulit-ulit lang naman yung kwento).

People who do not disappear, but friends who keep in touch (friends, paramdam kayo).

People who accept you even though you do things that are different from their views (akong-ako lang talaga).

I know people who are like these. They are my friends. People who were once I called as strangers.

And for all the times that we've been together (years, I may say, and im so happy) there may be times that we don't understand each other, (most of the times, ako ang di nila naiintindihan) may tampuhan, asaran, but we stayed as friends, not because of what I've done for them, but because of what they are, and because we have decided to stay together (sabihin ng iba napilitan lang sila, wuzus).

So, I pray to the Lord, thank You for having them in my life, for being my friends, for being around, for helping me out, for making me realize things, for making me come to You, for acceptance, understanding (no matter what i did) and for the love. You are such a great God. You know what we need even though we don't ask for them. I also pray, that may He bless these people as how He blesses me through them. I pray that He will give them good health (and also their families), peaceful mind (not like mine as of now), loving hearts (for all the people they know), abundance (not only in financial aspect) and please do give them whatever their hearts ask to you (dreams, opportunities, lovelife, career). Take away any pain that they have in their bodies (sickness) and/or in their lives (problems, challenges). Lord, we still have long way to run, there will be new trials, so I pray that our friendship last until we are with You. All the praises we give to You Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen. :)