Perils

written Feb. 22, 2001 by
Dan Schwab


j_t_dadd@yahoo.com

Being a friend, the most perilous undertaking in the world.
You hang your heart out there for your friend, thinking you know what will happen.
Most of the time it does, but there are other times, that it doesn't.
Why do we put ourselves through these tests day in, and day out?
What do we stand to gain from it?
A thoughtful "Thank You" , and a smile.
Maybe something more for the ones who have been extra special, and kept you from falling to pieces, when the rest of your world crumbled around you.
Then after that, what do we do?
We ask that friend for more, and more.
Sometimes not realizing what we have just asked them to do, the sacrifices we are asking them to make.
If they fail you, who is to blame?
Was it something that you have done wrong to them, or didn't they care enough.
Maybe they feel you haven't done enough for them.
Maybe you have overlooked other things about them that have been glaring so brightly that it blinded you.

Friendship is a double edged sword that can make you so happy for your friend, but can also leave you feeling so empty inside.
A great opportunity for them can mean that you will be left with nothing but a memory of how things once were, or the thought of how things might have been.
That is the peril of friendship, you give until you can't give any more.
In return, are you going to receive the same, or will you be left with nothing but a memory?
Every day we make concious and unconcious decisions that effect our friends in one way, or another.
We walk the tightrope between love and hate with them every day.
Always hoping for the best, sometimes not realizing that what we have just done was the worst.

Two edges, both cut deep.
How can you have a friend that means so much to you that you would give your life for them, but then turn around and in a moment of total selfishness cast them aside for your own advancement or pleasure?
Losing their friendship forever.
Years of building is gone, years of trust and love.
Gone in as little as a second.

Do me a favor.
When you decide to cut me, make it swift, deep, and look me in the eye.
If I am going to go down, I want to be looking at a friend.