In kindergarten your idea of a good friend was the person who let you have the red crayon when all that was left was
the ugly black one.
In first grade your idea of a good friend was the person who went to the bathroom with you and held your hand as you
walked through the scary halls.
In second grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you stand up to the class bully.
In third grade your idea of a good friend was person who shared their lunch with you when you forgot yours on the bus.
In fourth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who was willing to switch square dancing partners in gym so
you wouldn't have to be stuck do-si-do-ing with Nasty Nick or Smelly Susan.
In fifth grade your idea of a friend was the person who saved a seat on the back of the bus for you.
In sixth grade your idea of friend was the person who went up to Nick or Susan, your new crush, and asked them to dance
with you, so that if they said no you wouldn't have to be embarrassed.
In seventh grade your idea of a friend was the person who let you copy the social studies homework from the night before
that you had forgotten to do.
In eighth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pack up your stuffed animals and old baseball
but didn't laugh at you when you finished and broke out into tears.
In ninth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who would go to a party thrown by a senior so you wouldn't wind
up being the only freshman there.
In tenth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who changed their schedule so you would have someone to sit
with at lunch.
In eleventh grade your idea of a good friend was the person who gave you rides in their new car, convinced your parents
that you shouldn't be grounded, consoled you when you broke up with Nick or Susan, and found you a date to the prom.
In twelfth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pick out a college/university, assured you
that you would get into that college/university, helped you deal with your parents who were having a hard time adjusting to
the idea of letting you go...
At graduation your idea of a good friend was the person who was crying on the inside but managed biggest smile one could
give as they congratulated you.
Now, your idea of a good friend is still the person who gives you the
better of the two choices, holds your hand when you're scared, helps you fight off those who try to take advantage of
you, thinks of you at times when you are not there, reminds you of what you have forgotten, helps you put the past behind
you but understands when you need to hold on to it a little longer, stays with you so that you have confidence, goes out of
their way to make time for you, helps you clear up your mistakes, helps you deal with pressure from others, smiles for you
when they are sad, helps you become a better person, and most importantly loves you!