December 21, 2008 – Izzy spent the first five years of his life outside on a farm, and he loves storms and snows, lying outside until he is almost completely covered.
  My friend John e-mailed that he wished I would resume writing about friendship, a topic that was interrupted by the cow and steer crisis.
  I’m glad he reminded me. There are so many things going on in my head, that I go offtrack.
  Friendship is, I think, especially difficult for me, who tend to push it aside when they are busy or in trouble, oddly. I am making some new friends, and enjoying the process.
  I was thinking about what it takes to make a friend.
  First, it’s a choice. Friends don’t demand friendship, they choose it.
  Friendships are mutual. It can’t just be about you, or it falls out of whack.
  Friendships involved trust. You sometimes just have to trust a friend, and accept the friendship.
  Friends are loyal. You can count on them. You can call them anytime and know they will
be there. And you will be there at any time for you.
  Friendships are difficult, sometimes painful. They are judged, in many ways, by the bad times even more than the good ones.
  Friends don’t take advantage of one another. They don’t try and control one another. They observe and respect boundaries. They don’t judge one another. They ought not fall into the trap of thinking they know what’s best for each other. They can support one another, but they can’t save each other.
  Friendship is about love. Hard for men to get to friendship, I think. They are too busy, important, responsible. I think women grasp the value of it more intuitively. I am working on this. I am making some great new friends, and already have some great friends. Friendship is important to me. It takes work. It is a choice. I want friends in my life.