Your presence is your present (On the right way to show up for a friend)
My friends are the great loves of my life. There are a few of them in particular, without whom I could not do life. Hopefully, after this time, I never have to do life again, but if I did, I'd ask whoever has chosen to punish me, to mollify my penance by making sure I come back together with them. Even though they mean the world to me, friendships are not just candy and sparkles. They are relationships that deserve to be cultivated and pruned, just like romantic relationships. They are as beautiful, satisfying, and fulfilling as any other type of relationship, and sometimes as difficult. I am glad that in popular media, they are starting to get the recognition that they truly deserve. I often tell this story about one of my dearest friends. When we were in high school (secondary school), I was ostracized for a period of time, partly due to my childish interference in matters that hardly concerned me, and partly due to someone's malicious actions towards me. I remember the night...