Friendship, The Footprints In Your Heart
Posted in Friendship Better Person, Copper Bracelets, Encouragement
“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” – Anais Nin (1903-1977)
Friendship is a most precious gift that will endure the eternities. Cicero (106-43 BC) said, “Life is nothing without friendship.” To have a friend that you can share your innermost thoughts with is worth more than wealth or material objects. To have a friend that you can laugh and cry with, to have someone make us feel wanted and accepted for who we are…this is the reason for living.
“Many people will walk in and out of your life. But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Friends can cheer us on when we need encouragement. They can help us over the hump when we’re depressed. They can embrace us when we weep and laugh at a lame joke that we’ve told. We should lift one another up. We should be able to say that because of our association with one another, “I’m a better person having known you.”
Elizabeth Mauske told a story about an unusual and sweet friendship between her mother and an old native Indian woman from Central America. The Indian woman would visit their home often. With each visit, she would give her mother some partridge eggs and berries as a gift. The lovely colorful clothing and coin necklaces the woman wore fascinated Elizabeth. She noticed her copper bracelets as they softly jingled on her arm. The Indian woman only spoke Araucanian and her mother only spoke Spanish. Their conversation was minimal, but they would sit at the table, drinking tea and eating cake together with a smile and a laugh. They seemed to enjoy one another’s company.
Elizabeth noticed each time the Indian woman would rise to leave that she would say the exact tsame words. With great curiosity, Elizabeth and her sisters memorized the phrase and quickly found someone who could translate Araucanian for them. When she found out what the Indian woman had said, she was greatly touched and said it was “the nicest compliment ever uttered.” The Indian woman would rise from the table with a smile and say: “I shall come again, for I like myself when I’m near you.”
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could say this about our friends? Sydney Smith (1771-1845) said, “Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love, and to be loved, is the greatest happiness of existence.”
By: Linda Weaver Clarke
About the Author:
Linda Weaver Clarke teaches a Writing Workshop, encouraging others to turn their family history into a variety of interesting stories. She has written a historical/fiction love story, Melinda and the Wild West, published by American Book Publishing. This book was a Semi-finalist for the Reader Views “Reviewers Choice Award 2007.” This novel is the first of five in a family saga. Linda is happily married and is the mother of six daughters and has four grandchildren.
Written by Linda Weaver Clarke, author of Melinda and he Wild West, a Semi-finalist for the “Reviewers Choice Award 2007.” To contact the author, visit http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com
June 24th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
I think back to the times I really liked myself and what I was doing and feeling then. It wasn’t that I was richer or had less problems, I was just doing my best and had things to look forward to. Once again, living less on the defensive.
June 24th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
When you are in friendship with someone it make you more secure and jolly. You can share everything with your friend and feel yourself stress free.
June 30th, 2010 at 11:28 am
I enjoyed reading this post a lot. I know that I need to find a way to convert my visitor into buyers. Reading this article gave me an idea on how to be involve in friendship. Thanks a lot.
July 1st, 2010 at 3:41 am
The first Icebreaker or game that comes to mind is have students sit in a circle with a pen and a blank piece of paper, they will only have to write their name and then pass the paper to the person to the right of them..
.-= panty pictures´s last blog ..Get the most unique panty for yourself =-.
July 1st, 2010 at 3:54 am
Cees this is one beautiful photo and title and story it is a sad one and yet happy one he sounds like he ended up with a good life and lots of love….
July 1st, 2010 at 10:20 am
I mean is full attention. Where we don’t do anything else but focus completely on the other person. Attention means that we hold out the hand of generosity to others in order to connect and support.
July 1st, 2010 at 10:44 am
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints on your heart.
.-= Zyprexa Law´s last blog ..The Worth of My Claim =-.
July 3rd, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Friendships involve recognition or familiarity with another’s personality. Friends must share likes and dislikes, interest, views, passion of their life and world. This gives a lot of recognition with the person whom we need have friendship.