thoughts of friends

Shall I give up the friend I have valued and tried if he kneel not before th same altar with me?
-Thomas Moore

He that is thy friend indeed,
He will help thee in thy need;
If thou sorrow, he will weep,
If thou wake, he cannot sleep;
Thus of every grief in heart,
He with thee doth bear a part,
These are certain signs to know
Faithful friend from flattering foe.
- William Shakespeare

The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him, I may think aloud.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

So what are the qualities that you find in your friends? I mean friends, not just acquaintances or those family members you love and cherish....the people outside of your family. (Not that your family cannot be your friends!!!)....have you found true friends in the workplace, friends inside the church, friends from school that have remained in touch over the years.
What makes you a good friend?
I find it so interesting to sit back and think about the different people I call my friends. Yet, when push came to shove and I really needed someone to talk with......who would be the person I would chose to speak with? Who would be the person I would call on for assistance? are they one in the same?
My best friend is my husband, of that I have no doubt! But sometimes I need my female friends to chat with, giggle with, listen to me rant and rave, give me a hug...or just drop in for a moment to say hello, to cheer me on, to listen to my sadness and cry with me.

Friends.
Yes, friends ....one of life's greatest treasures.