Are you a good friend?

I got this the other day in an email and it was really interesting to me. It's not you're typical what's your name and height survery thingy. It makes you think for answers so I thought I'd post it and see what others have to say.

Do I have people with whom I can simply be myself? Well, actually I don't hang around people that I can't be myself around. If I have to act differently around someone, then they aren't really my friends.

What types of friends do I value most? Why? Honest ones that actually care about me and my family. I have many friends whom I've had for 18-19 years now, and to me that's really special.

What do I feel are the main qualities of friendship? Well, honesty is th emost important factor to me in any person, friend or not. I also think being supportive is important, and to me a friend should be the person you should be able to turn to about any problems you're having, and not have to worry about being made fun of or ignored.

List and briefly describe the friends who are in my life now? Um, Manda-my bestest friend, known her since I was 9. Been there for each other through every single thing that we've ever gone through really. Mark- Not sure if I should call him abest friend or not, we used to be but I'm not sure anymore. I still love Mark like I always have but sometimes I wonder if I'm still up on the food chain to him or not. Josh and Deena- Again friends with Deena since I was 9, she was the first out of all my friends that I met. I love both of them dearly but Deena has an inferiority complex and thinks she's better than everyone sometimes and that grates on your nerves sometimes. Candace- I've known Candace since before I was even born. I'd call us best friends although we never see each other, but it still can't stop our friendship. Brian- he's actually my cousin, but he's one of my better friends too, there isn't anything Brian wouldn't do for me, Sean or Mikayla, he's just awesome. Billy- He's Seans brother, but again, theres no one in our lives like Billy, he never complains about helping us do anything, and he's always over here. =) There are more like Willy, and Julie, and gary and Jamie and etc. but I don't have room to describe them all hehe.

Describe ones who are no longer alive or present to me now but who have made an impact on my life. Why do I think they were able to make such a difference in my life? Well, the only person who's not alive is my dad, and yes I'd consider him a friend. There are a lot that aren't around anymore, like Richard and Mary and both of them did influence my life, they taught me what anger is like in a relationship and also what it means to hold on to your marriage despite all odds, and thats really a valuable thing to learn I think. Steve vanished also but thats for the better I believe, he was just trouble waiting to happen.

Among my circle of friends, who are my personal heroes or role models? Everyone is my hero for seperate reasons. Amanda has built a wonderful life for herself despite all the shit she went through in her life. She's maintained a good relationship with her mom despite the way she just gave her up, and her and Mark have kept their relationship alive since high school and thats an awesome accomplishment. Josh and Deena I admire because they are always trying to one up themselves lol. If you ever want to know what the newest things look like, just go to their house lol. I'd have to say though that Sean is my personal hero. He's taught me so many things about myself and together we have learned how to maintain our lives despite all the shit everyone likes to throw at us.

Who are the prophets in my life? In other words, who confronts me with the question: "To what voices am I responding to in life? This would be Sean, and only Sean. I can't even start to explain all the things he's opened my eyes to.

Who help me see my relationships, mission in life, and self-image more clearly? How are they able to do this? This again would be Sean, None of my friends "challenge" me in life really. I think we're all beyond that point, and honestly I think you're husband should be the only one to do this anyway. Sean has helped me to develop my love in Christ, he has helped me to learn to be a parent to our daughter, he has helped me to deal with all my obstacles and he has taught me what it feels like to not have anyone judge you, and just to be loved for being you.

Who tease me into gaining a new perspective when I am too preoccupied or tied up in myself? This would also be Sean, although I don't think I've ever been to involved with myself to gain a new perspective on anything. I'm not a self-absorbed person, and I never put myself before others, so I don't really think I need help in this dept.

Who help me experience the living God in new ways and help me let go of stagnant images of the Lord as well as outmoded ways of praying? Sean, Sean, Sean. And Seans mother. I've called Linda before crying when thoughts of my mom dieing (she has cancer) has had my faith clouded, and she's always been right there to help me focus and clear my head. I could say things about her that I don't agree with but when it comes to faith, she's always the one I turn too. Sean has taught me the value of prayer though.

When and with whom do I play different roles as a friend? This would be my mom. I stay the same with all my friends but with my mom I have to jump from caring daughter, to health advisor, to relationship counselor, to landlord, to money manageer, I just have many many role with my mom that I'm forced to play out.