How do you decide the difference between a friend and acquaintance?  The dictionary tells us a friend is a person whom one knows and has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations while an acquaintance is someone you know slightly, but is not a close friend.

Most of us likely have a long list of acquaintances but when it comes to friends are more likely to split them into two categories…friends and close friends.  The latter is reserved for a more select group of those who you can talk about anything, always have your back, understand the struggles you may go through and generally just make you feel better when you’re around them.  These are good friends and in truth if you have a few of them you’re probably ahead of the game.  At the same time there are bad friends, those who come and go and are only around when they need something.  This group can be pushy and not understanding, bad mouth other friends and even make you uncomfortable to be around.  Hopefully you don’t have any or at worst a very short list.

In searching the internet I found some rather good quotes about friendship that I would like to share:

• “A man’s friendships are one of the best measures of his worth.” (Charles Darwin)
• “If you have one true friend you have more than your share.” (Thomas Fuller)
• “A true friend accepts who you are, but also helps you become who you should be.” (Unknown)
• “A friend is one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden.” (?)
• “It’s the friend you can call up at 4am that matter.” (Marlene Dietrich)

Based on these I am truly blessed to have many good friends in my life.  I hope you do as well.