Have you ever noticed over the years how hard it is to find a true friend? Someone who would be there for you in the blink of an eye, no matter what was wrong? Like Greek mythology, the stages of friendship can be classified into different ages.

Before you started school, you had play dates and everyone was friends with everyone else. You went over to friends houses, and had sleep overs. This is the age of imagination. You have imaginary friends, and your stuffed animals know everything about your day.

The age of Elementary begins. During the first years of school, everyone is friends, and sleep overs and birthday parties are the big thing. Fights never last more than a few minutes, and you think that these friends are the people you will know for the rest of your life.

The age of Junior High begins. The factions start to emerge, however everyone is still friends for the most part. The factions that are emerging are the preps (sports), the populars (the girls), the skaters, the “weird kids” and the new kids. As junior high progresses, the factions split in preparation for high school. Your group of friends may begin to split up, as people realize where they “want” to be.

The age of Perception beings. This is high school. The factions are in full effect. Some of the people you were best friends with in elementary school and junior high won’t even look at you, much less speak to you. The preps and the popular spend the weekend partying, while the skaters skate, the weird kids split into two groups, the geeks and the weird kids. The geeks become members of the video club, or the theatre technical group. By now, the new kids are quickly absorbed into their proper faction. Fights with friends last for days, and the people you see as true friends are the people you think you will talk to for the rest of your life. Graduation comes and goes, some leave for college while others go away for college. What happens to the friendships?

The age of Reality begins! College starts, and the friendships are tested. Most friendships from the age of perception are broken, however a few remain. New friendships are formed, and the factions from high school are reformed, on a much larger scale.

Over my first year of college, I have lost some friends who I would never lose touch with. However, i’ve realized that so many people are your friends when it is convenient for them.  You can do your best to be a good friend, clear your plans to see someone you haven’t seen in a year.  However, in the end, you know who your true friends are.  Walter Winchell puts it best:

“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.“

The moral of this story is to treasure those friends that you know are your true friends, because a true friend is someone who is very hard to come by.

-Justin

[tags]Friends, School, Life, jfcapasso[/tags]