FRIEND or FOE

                                   Friend or Foe?

Wow, it sure has been awhile since I sat down to write! I do apologize to my readers for the delay, but quite honestly, life throws so much at an individual at once, that often times we just set things aside for a later date. My blog being one of them.
An issue that I wish to touch upon today is that of friendships. Yes, I said it (well, rather wrote it)! For some odd reason, I thought that as we aged, our friendships become easier and we become less caring of having a friend or not. However, I find that statement to be false.
I am fortunate enough to have many of friends from grade school, high school, and college still in my life. I am also fortunate to be able to say, that I have become friendly with neighbors and other mother's whose children share the same interests as my children.
One ugly truth is this: Drama. Yes ladies, "Drama!" I seem to find it no matter which way I turn. It is in the neighborhood, athletic activities, work, and still hanging strong in old friendships. Sadly, I witness the same turmoil personalities amongst children.
Hurting someone for the sake of making yourself feel better is more like bullying, but when acting self-centered and choosing to conciously keep a person with whom you truly like but feel jealous to allow another friend to like is pure & simple drama as well as rude, crude and self-centered.
As an adult, I am immune to such personalities, but as a mother, I find it difficult to witness my child being friendly with an egocentric person. Make no mistake while reading this. I for one, am fully aware that my children are no angels, but I know that I have raised them to the best of my capabilities, and part of their structure is to have manners, courtesy, respect and treat your friends as equals.
However, these words seem mute. No matter how much you instill a value of compassion into your child, they have to test all personalities to see what it truly feels like to be in all shoes. Which personality is best suitable to their being and managed with comfort to their environment. I have learned who I feel most comfortable being in my skin, and I assume that the same will come of my children. As a parent, I recognize that they are not me, but that they are a small part of me and my husband, they are individuals. I cannot mold them into who I want them to be or wish for them to become. I can only stand by with my best advice.
Through the struggles, I must be their voice of reason, shoulder to cry on, and back bone to re-build their courage and confidence. I must teach them to solve a problem, and not run from it. It is a scary world, and even scarier when your friends are truly not who they claim to be. Is it true" "TRUST NO ONE?" I do not believe so, but I do believe that you do not openly trust until trust is gained.