The hallmark of a great diamond is classified by the characteristics of the 4 C's. Men and women throughout the ages of 'man' has valued this carbon substance for its beauty, its crystalline structure has funded wars and love. The way it reflect and refracts and exposes the nature of light. The diamonds ability and its resilience of its hardness, but yet just as fragile as a dandelion upon the wind. Diamonds natural beauty is formed from time, pressure and the correct circumstances.
For myself, one of the most precious natural gifts that I can receive from anyone, can also be classified by C's and it too is like a diamond, that being genuine friendship.
I have always valued friendship highly and have always gone out of my way for them when ever I can. There have been times that I have not provided the friendship that they may have required of me, and for that I do apologize for, but know that you are always with me. It was interesting that previously a few days prior a few people were mere strangers; through our conversations and stories, I can to understand what a friend was mostly about. Being Som, I just had to quanitfy and qualify it somehow.
The major thing that hit me was "Character', as a friend we should appreciate their character, this is their essence and thus makes them interesting. Their character is composed of great things that we value, but also contains flaws that we may despise. Each one of us possess flaws and we shall and should never try to correct our friends' of theirs. We should provide advice and guidance if required but in the end of the day, it is their choice to do whatever so in their lives.
A great friend should have Courage to stand up and speak up when we are foolish, but be brave enough to stand by a friends decision. The mark of a great friend is their ability to be critical of us and also be willing to be criticized in return. Without blunt analysis, we can not grow. A friend should reflect and refract yourself, so you can view ones true self.
Comfort and Care is what a friend shall provide, the shelter of hope and sometimes bull dust that can wash away the tide of physical and emotional pains that the world that we perceive is dishing out to us. A friend shall only need to say a single word or phrase to make us break into hysterical laughter. A friend is my TARDIS, that can transcend time and space, allowing me to relive time lost.
The nurturing and growth of friendship can be hard at times. True friends will always stand by you during the hardest of time(s), but can easily be broken by a single word or action, liken to when a diamond is cleaved incorrectly.
There exist more numerous ways a friend can be described, for me you are a diamond. You are rare; and are all unique. You have characteristics and abilities that I admire; through yourselves, my life has been enriched. Like diamonds, the various friendships have generated wars and love, you reflect who I am. Without these I would have been a shell of a being. I thank you all for allowing me to share part of your lives.
