What makes a friend?

Good Friends of the author, May 2009, UK

Author's niece and friend, aged 4, UK

What makes a friend?
Someone who understands
Someone who's on your side
Someone who cares whether you've had a good day
Or a bad day
Someone you can laugh with

What makes a friend?
Someone you can go for a walk with
And talk and talk, and giggle
Someone you can meet for coffee
Someone who's always pleased to see you

What makes a friend?
Someone who's honest with you when you need it
Someone who remembers your birthday
Someone who keeps in touch over the years
Even when you don't see them very often

What makes a friend?
Someone who makes you smile when you pick the phone up
And hear their voice
Someone who shares the ups and downs of their lives with you
And shares your ups and downs too

What makes a friend?
Someone who, even though thousands of miles away
Seems as though they're in the same room with you
When you call and chat at the weekend
When you share all the things in your life

What makes a friend?
Someone who calls you when they know you're down
When they know you'll gripe and complain a bit
Someone you call when you know they're down
Because you're friends
That's what makes a friend