What ARE Friends?

You know lately I've been wondering... What IS a friend? People say "Oh he's my friend", but in fact they hardly speak two words to him at a time.

"Friend" is a REALLY misused word, IMHO. And it's never struck me harder than recently. It just seems terribly odd when someone insists that you're friends and yet never bothers to make contact. I'd rather say that we're "acquaintances" and be done with it.

It's sad... But I guess some things have just got to be accepted. It would be nice, though, if people could be a little less quick to say the word "friend". Being a friend comes with enormous responsibility. You have to be there, no matter what, for the person you call a friend. Otherwise, what's the point? It's just too easy to say "We're friends", but at the end of the day... You know nothing about the other and in fact, you don't care enough to bother. So WHY call them friends? It makes no sense.

You don't have to be in contact ALL the time, but you still have to find ways to let your friends know you care, right? That's probably the most important thing of all. You call yourself a friend, well then BE a friend. It's not too much to ask. Is it?

Sigh. I'm just having a rant. I haven't been much of a friend to some either, so from now on I'm vowing to either learn to care enough, or not open my big mouth and say that I'm friends with so-and-so. It's better than being a hypocrite. Really.

If you have an opinion, I'd like to hear it...