a "friendship"-type quote i DON'T agree with

I think if I've learned anything about friendship, it’s to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don’t walk away, don’t be distracted, don’t be too busy or tired, don’t take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff. – Jon Katz

the first time i saw this quote, i agreed with it. i checked like and moved on. but something told me to go back and read it again. i scrolled back up and read it. when i finished i unchecked like. i saved the quote and knew i would have to address it at some point. that point is today.

i do not agree with this statement! i have had some really bad times in my life but i have never had to endure them alone. in fact, the only times i have ever endured anything alone have been times of my own choosing. i have people i love and care for and people who love and care for me. i have never willingly let them go through trials alone and they have never let me. they have been an ear, a shoulder, a sounding board, a mirror. they have been a place of solace, a place of comfort, a place of understanding, a place of love and support, a place of safety and security.

i need people in my life. i need friends; friends to share happy times, to help heal wounds and scars, to share laughter and memories, to learn from and with, to teach me and help me grow, to remind me of who i am when i lose my way, and to point out the good in me when i forget. i need friends to have lunch with, party with, try new things with, and watch old movies with. i need friends to laugh at life with, sigh in wonder with, discover new things with, relax with, enjoy life with. that expression...no man is an island exists for a reason as do the countless other quotes that say man cannot survive alone. we need others in our life. we need to love and be loved. we need to be accepted as we are, for who we are. we need friends.

and that is why i do at least agree with the last line of this quote. if you are in my life it is because i value you and want you there. similarly...i hope if you have allowed me to share your life/ your journey with you it is because you value me and want me there. we cant all be friends with everyone. it is just not possible. we can care about people and wish everyone well, we can be kind to everyone, we can have sympathy for another's plight and empathy for those who have gone through similar experiences as us but we cant be friends with everyone.

we may want to but it is physically impossible. but we can share friendships with people we can relate to and understand; we can share friendship with people we have a common bond or interest with; we can share friendship with those we share a special moment with, and with those we can laugh with and learn with. indeed, there are many ways and reasons to become friends, to be friends, to stay friends. life is too short not to be open to the possibility and beauty of friendship.

and so...

 I'VE SURVIVED THE WORST TIMES OF MY LIFE 

BECAUSE OF THE KINDNESS, LOVE AND SUPPORT OF FRIENDS. 

I NEED THEM IN MY LIFE. 

I VALUE THEM AND WANT THEM... 

HERE...IN MY LIFE...SHARING MY JOURNEY!

 I AM GRATEFUL FOR THEM!!

I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY FRIENDS!!!