Friends are some of the most precious people that will ever grace your life. Whether they go out as quickly as they came in, or they remain lifelong, they create the basis of some of your best memories. If you need a shoulder to cry on, they will wipe your eyes. If you feel like you can't go on, they will carry you. When you don't have much of a family, if any, they will gladly adopt you as their own. Believe me, I know first hand. Upon my mother's diagnosis of cancer, my dysfunctional extended family never came down to give the rest of my family and I the support we desperately needed. When Meg and her family found out, however, no one could have jumped faster than they did to give me the strength I needed when I didn't feel that I could go on. Everyone has their so called "friends," but like my dad told me once if I can find one good, true friend in life, I am considered lucky. Personally, I feel it more a blessing to have the wonderful friends I have. They don't require a whole lot out of you either. It's quite simple. They expect from you the same respects they give you. With that, consider these five points in acquiring, and maintaining a good friendship.

ood friends stand side by side with your family. Your friends know you better than you do. If you lie, you had better believe that they can sense it. Plus, if you have ever told anyone else the same lie, I'm sure your friend heard about it before you even told it. Honesty is by far the most important thing in maintaining a friendship and THE bond that holds any relationship together. If you break that bond between you and your friend, then you don't even have to worry about the other four points. Now when I say be honest, I don't mean to tell your friend that they look absolutely ridiculous in their favorite outfit. I am talking about the important things. Things that you would expect them to tell you. No matter how good, or bad the news, they will respect you for it in the end. Like I told my friend once," if you are honest with me, I will be honest with you."

If you have ever heard the saying, "A diamond is forever," you will know the same saying applies to friends. Well, friends are forever and if you follow these simple ways in maintaining a good friendship, then you life is guaranteed to be filled abundantly with life long friendships.

Steer Clear of BF's/GF's. I don't care if they are current or an ex. Unless you want some major hating on you, then you will stay far far away from them. I don't mean that you have to leave the state when they enter the room or anything. But just act as NOT interested as possible. Be very nice and polite and show your friend that you approve of their decis

Some common words found in the essay are:
Steer BF's/GF's, Tell Wrong, Friendship Friends, Honest Remember, maintaining friendship, , don't talk, tell wrong, friend heard, don't mean, friend don't,
Approximate Word count = 1016
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)