Ponder the meaning of the word: Friend.
It seems such an obvious thing, friendship, and yet often it becomes so very complicated.
There is a fine line between friendship and parenting, and when that line is crossed, the result is often disastrous.
A parent who strives to make a true friend of their child may very well sacrifice authority, and though the parent may be comfortable with surrendering that dominany position, the unintentional result will be to steal from that child the necessary guidance and, more importantly, the sense of securitythe parent is supposed to impart.
On the opposite side, a friend who takes a role as a parent forgets the most important ingredient of friendship: Respect.
For Respect is the guiding principle of Friendship; the lighthouse beacon that directs the course of any true friendship.
And Respect demands Trust...
Though we will often look back over our shoulders and wonder, we will hold fast to our understanding of Friendship, of Trust, and of Respect. We accept, grudgingly, but resolutley, our divergent paths...
On that level, 'Friendship' seems such an obvious thing, and yet, so very, very complicated...
