What are friends for?

After reading Dana's lat post I felt compelled to write something about it. I don't wholly disagree with it, but there are some things that are not so black and white in a friendship.

My experiences is that in a friendships, the gaps (timeframe without lots of communication) are not detrimental at all. The person that needs more contact due to certain circumstances might feel that the one not initiating communication might not be a good friend. This is where I see a difference. Horrible social skill, yes. Bad friend, definitely not.

To tell you the truth, my lack of communication is due to lack of my understanding on how to handle it. I feel that if I'm constantly in communication with my friend that has cancer, it will keep reminding her of her current situation. Earlier, I saw how positive she is dealing with it, and if I constantly ask her how she is would probably remind her of her current situation which is something I don't want to do. It like the old saying, "If you don't have anything positive to say, then don't say anything at all."

I'm not sure what is her take on this, but I'm sure she has her own opinions about it, and I do have my own. My opinion might be wrong, but that doesn't change the fact why were are friends. If my opinion in this regards is completely wrong, it only shows how much I lack social skills, it will never change how I feel about her however.

People get married, people are busy with work, or is raising a kids, these are circumstances that affects the amount of communication with friends, but it does not change the underlying reason why they are friends.

I have many childhood friends that I don't talk often, but when I meet up with them its just like where we left off last time. There is a gap, but its inconsequential. That for me, is what I call true friendship.

People that are only acquaintances, to me at least, will not be like I mentioned above. Meeting them after a gap can be a little uneasy and awkward.

Dana, I'm always here, 1 call away, or if you want, 1 flight away. Remember how I flew everywhere to visit you in odd corners around the country many times? I even made it possible to go to your wedding, when I was not financially viable to go. Why? Because you are important to me. Doesn't matter the nuances of socially acceptable ritual on friendships, because its more than that. What matter is that when you need it, I'm there for you, anytime.