The Value of Friendships

Sometimes we have a tendency to forget about others while dealing with our own trials and tribulations. Guess I’m guilty of that too...

When P told me his friend was in a coma, I didn’t realise how close they were until I read Marini’s blog. I felt her pain then. Maybe because she had just finished uni. That’s where I was most dependent on friends. Her entry touched deep inside me... I imagined what I would feel if I lost any one of my close friends... Alhamdulillah, so far I have been lucky in that aspect.

Friendships come in so many shapes and sizes – for lack of a better description. There are people you adore, mere acquaintances, people you love and respect, those you turn to, people you shamelessly flirt with... They come and go, but memories remain forever. Most of my friends in college have drifted apart, bogged by duties to families and careers, but there are rare jewels that remain with us no matter how far apart we are.

Suzi is one of my closest friends even though she lives far away in the Netherlands. Her pain is mine, and she knows of whatever I’m going through. Acik still keeps in touch, even if we meet only for movie sessions; and yes, Tekad. Sali – whom I met in 1986 and was not a part of my circle for years until recently. Inevitably, my friends become theirs and vice versa.

Some stay in the background, but the warmth shines through whenever we meet. Risq, Nadiah, K Zalina... My cronies in my Masters days. Wek, who quiettly follows my blog from Sabah and reminds me of all the nonsense I wrote every time we meet. Leave a message, la wei...

Of course, there are the beloved Tekadmons – Tuanku Putri Mawar Sakti, Naz, Jai, Cha’aint, Eyeda, Anang, Loly, and so on and so forth. My Darling D3Katians – Zura, Anaz, Inas, Cik Jee, Wong, Yuz. And we welcome their other halves along with them. (Funny but true – our approval of their other halves seem to carry a lot of weight. So beware!) The Ilham gang... Not to forget P, who somehow or other is recruited to play escort whenever I need one. Ye la, you’re an actor, right? Ha ha...

My ‘greenie’ friends – Chris, Loretta, Nisha, Lillian, Anuar, LiLi, Bernie, Jayamary, Jarina, Teck Wyn, Cindy, Surin... etc etc etc.

There are those who are my supports – K Jo, Reeza, P, Jay... Very, very important people to me. People who tell me the truth even though it hurts, people who kindly inform me that I’m being stupid, and still accept me as I am... Sometimes people fail to understand how much every one of them means to me. Some ask why I would attend Reeza’s wedding when he was the one i adored for so long? The answer is simple – because his happiness is important to me. And it applies to each and every one of you.

So friends, before it’s too late, let me beg your forgiveness for my wrongdoings, and let me tell you, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for being a part of me...