Not all of my friends come from the same backgrounds. Some had the picture perfect family, while others didn’t, but this never affected how they were raised. They were all raised to love others no matter what they looked or acted like. Thankfully, I was blessed to be their friends. They’ve all positively impacted my life in several different ways that have affected who I am today and who I will be in the future.
They taught me: Compassion
As someone who overreacts and cries a lot, my friends have learned how to show compassion towards me. They’ve shown me that they truly care for me in my desperate times of need, but it’s not just me. Almost of all my best friends would drop anything to help anyone in need. They all have servants' hearts and put them to great use. I can only hope to be as compassionate as them in the future.
They taught me: Trust
It takes a lot for me to trust someone, simply because my trust has been broken by important people in my life. With my very best friend that I met in third grade, it took me a little bit to trust her even that young, but she was patient with me. Once I began to open up, she showed that she was trustworthy by avoiding the elementary school yard gossip sessions. Since then it is still hard to trust someone right off the bat, but it’s a lot easier because I know what a trustworthy person acts like.
They taught me: Faith
This kind of goes with trust, but more on a spiritual level. I have two amazing friends who are so devoted to God, and no one ever questions it. We aren’t perfect at all, but when I need someone to encourage me in my walk with God, I know that they are right there to talk to me about it and explain to me that everything is going to be okay. They’re my role models for how I am to live my life as a Christian.
They taught me: True friendship.
Each of my friends were raised to be honest, no matter how badly the truth hurts, and this has bettered me as a person. I don’t need anything sugar coated. I need people to tell me that I’m being stupid, or that I need to get out of a toxic relationship. Granted, I don’t always listen, but they stick it out and hold me when I cry. In the end, they hold their tongue and wait to say “I told you so.”
So to their parents,
Thank you for raising them to be awesome ladies and gentlemen. Without them I don’t know who I’d be in this crazy world. Many of you are another set of parents to me, just like my parents are another set to your children. I love your children with all of my heart, and I am beyond blessed with their friendship, so again, thank you.
