People.

People are funny.
And of course by 'funny' I mean strange, difficult, hard to read, wonderful, curious, and constantly full of surprises.
There is nothing more beautiful and comforting than the companionship of a friend. There is also nothing more fragile or complicated. Walter Winchell said, "A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." Yet, at least in my experiences, your friends are usually the firsts to let you down. Why is that? A friendship is far more complicated than just 'give and take.' It takes time, commitment, trust, love, and about a million other things to really make it something worth while. It's about investment. It's about growth. Sometimes, it's about getting knocked down and walked all over. The greatest rewards in life come with the greatest price. It makes me wonder how anyone could fall in love. A friend of mine was recently discussing the profound amount of trust and bravery involved in loving someone and he makes a very valid point. People are so unreliable, so unpredictable. It's a wonder how anyone gets along with anyone. I can't recall even one person in my life who has not disappointed me in some way or another, and as much as it pains me, I'm sure there is not one friend in my life who I have not failed. So why bother? They let you down, you let them down... Why do we continue to bond and make friendships with each other and seek new relationships, and consequently, therefore be finding more and more people to fall short of our expectations? The cycle is infinitely regressive but we never let that stop us from putting ourselves out there on the line in hopes that we will find someone who will be different, someone who will be a true friend. What is a 'true friend' anyway? Someone who will always be loyal and faithful and never thwart us? If such a person ever existed, I assure you they would not being lobbying for a friendship with any of us. So we will have to just stick with what we have, continue to enjoy the good times and suffer through the bad, hopefully learning something along the way. Until the day when we meet our true *best* friend. The one that we can love with all our heart, and more difficultly, let them love us with all of theirs. Maybe then all the frustration, disappointment and hurt will pay off.
People are funny.
The little devils :) but life would surely be boring without them.