taking pain away

Have you ever watched a friend struggle with an issue, a situation or event and just want to scoop them up and place them in a better place? Not having kids, I imagine this must be what it feels like to want to protect them from the world's harm.

I have some of the strongest friends in the world. Loving, caring, warm-hearted people who have dealt with some of the worst shit life has to offer. And throughout it all, mostly kept a good sense of humour, a cool head and often thoughts of others in their minds.

I can't count the number of conversations I've had where I keep thinking...why am i talking about this/venting about this while person X is dealing with all of their own stuff. But that's the beauty of good friends. Or at least one of the beauties.

They will always be there to listen to my stuff. Sometimes it is a good distraction for them, sometimes it allows them to show they care when there hasn't been other opportunities, and mostly it's because they know I will always be there on the end for them. No one keeps score, it's just a given. We have each others backs.

And if that means supporting them in the middle of the night from miles away over the telephone or rushing over to sit on the couch, or changing plans to watch their kids...then, it's an easy choice. Beyond easy. No question.

When a friend thanks me for such a thing, I'm somewhat amazed....what else would I do?! To me, it's not a choice. It's a given.

If I never have a "family" of my own, I need to remember that these people are my family. And that's my choice.