As we grow in life, we make connections with people who cross our path. It is said that some people are blessings and some people are lessons. And among all the people we meet, few remain in our memories till the end.
Over time, we start to face situations in life that we were never ready for, and for some reason, the majority lose the happiness that colored their lives in exchange for life experiences that we learn. There are, however, some lucky persons that have the gift of a true friend. There is this type of friend that is different, not in a way but in many ways. They suddenly enter your life, become your friends, impose their presence, and lift you up, and you can do nothing about it.
Just when you become the person that does not smile often, and you start to hide your problems from others, and you become more of a black and white person, life will send you a person that pops out of nowhere and takes control of your sadness. This friend will never expect something from you, will not benefit from you, will have no profit whatever you do, yet, this person will choose to stay. Surprisingly, they will realize that you are not OK before you know it. You say Hi on a chatting app and they will tell you “Are you OK?”. And over time they will memorize your pattern because they feel impressed by your small details and will memorize every detail you tell them.
They will make you realize that if you like someone, you might never notice it, but still deeply care. Then, you will start thanking the opportunities that made you know them. You will start having an interest in what they like to impress them. Maybe you’ll find it a return of favor, to care for them as much as they cared for you. And even though you were a good friend since day one, they were better. Because in the end, they kept every promise, and memorized everything you like, in a time where you were not in a mood to desire anything.
They care, they dig deep into your thoughts, they force you to smile, they can become irritating, but they won’t let go before your smile. It’s like guardian angels, but they are real and tangible.
If you smiled when reading, and thought about some of these friends, never let them go, not everyone has the chance to encounter such gems along the way.
Look clearly at your life after meeting them for a while, they color your life, and they make you cherish the small details and the dreams you once let go of. Not because they are better than others, but because they never gave up before forcing the small inevitable smiles on your face, and in your heart, and they make you believe in yourself by believing in you first. These are God’s gift of a lifetime.
~ Joe J. El Housseini
