What kind of friend are you?

As a parent I think its only natural to wonder about the kinds of friends my children pick. Likewise, I find myself frequently reminding them of the kind of friends they should be. Lately, however, it seems I've spent a lot of time and thought turning that question around on myself. - What kind of friend am I? And, more importantly, What kind of friend do I want to be?

Do I uplift people? 

Do I make them laugh? 

Do I build them up? 

And the all-important question:  Am I a good example? 

I have been blessed with great friends... Camping friends, golfing friends, crafty-friends, writing friends, reading friends, chatty friends, and even the "I've always got your back" friends. I've got friends that I laugh with and friends that I can be serious with. Mature friends and well, some not so mature ones, too! And, while no two of my friends posses the same qualities, they all contribute to my life and make me a better person.

  

In a world full of takers, I hope to be a giver. In a world full of anger, I hope to be a peacemaker. When things look bleak, I hope to be able to see the bright spots. And when the chips are down, I hope to be a dependable ally.

The formula seems simple enough:  To have a friend, be a friend.