The power of friendships.

Today I was talking to a friend about something that was relatively important in her life when she said the strangest thing. Well, maybe "strange" isn't the best word choice but what she said made me really think about what I'm getting ready to share; maybe the better word is "perplexing". Let me start over.
Today, I was talking to a friend about something relatively important in her life when she perplexed me by saying, "Don't feel obligated", to do something with her.
I think the word "obligated" is what caught my attention.

I then explained to my friend that I was not obligated to do anything at all, however, i consider this person a true friend and choose to sit beside her, or cry with her, or laugh with her, or deal with anything that comes her way because I am her friend. This is what I consider friendship.

Friendships don't require obligations. Obligations are those things that you feel guilty about if you don't do them. I wouldn't feel guilty if I didn't stand beside or behind my friend; I just wouldn't feel like a friend.