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Friends and Feelings

Writer's picture: John WhiteheadJohn Whitehead

Having lived in the same general area most of my life, you would think I would have many friends from childhood. Unfortunately, this is not the case. I only know one person from my school days, and we have only seen each other twice in the last ten years.


As I wonder about this. I have come to understand that many things make a friendship. Most of these are surrounded by feelings.


“Friends and feelings” live close to one another, and the feelings that come from a close friend are some of the best feelings in our lives.


I remember the days when all I wanted to do was to hang out with my friends. Since I have never been a social butterfly, this usually meant one friend or a couple at most. Regardless of the number, the anticipation of getting together with them and just hanging out was exciting and satisfying.


My friends and I were always tight and always there for one another. The simplicity of our relationships was what made them so profound. There were no expectations beyond them having my back and me having theirs.


The assurance that you could count on each other made even the darkest situations bearable.


As with everything, things changed, and as we grew up, we grew apart. At some point, “friends and feelings” led to working, earning a living, and acquiring things.


It is funny when I write that because when we were happiest as kids, we did not have any of those things or concerns. All we had was each other and the feeling of being accepted and included. The things we didn’t have didn’t matter.


Ironically, in pursuing all life's desires, the one thing that doesn’t change is that we still need friends, and we are still affected by our feelings when we have friends and when we don’t.


This points to the truth about the value found in relationships. No matter the person,

situation or circumstance, we all need and are searching for a chance to belong.


Today, I believe I am much harder to get to know than I used to be. “Friends and feelings” seem to have taken a backseat to work and striving for more. Even as I write that, I wonder if I have missed the mark.


Perhaps I have forgotten the joy of messing with someone just for fun or the belly laughs that come from seeing your friend's face when you do.   


One thing is sure. As we grow older, we seem to lose the sense of wonder that “friends and feelings” bring. I have often thought I would do things differently if I could go back and do them over.


Then I realized I would not change a thing because of the “friends and feelings” I have had and the joy both have brought to my life!


Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”



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Paul W Petrillo
Paul W Petrillo
Jun 14, 2024
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

"Friends are Friends Forever, If the Lords the Lord of Them. A lifetime's not too long, to live as friends" MWS

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Douglas McClain
Douglas McClain
Jun 12, 2024
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Enjoyed the read from someone I'm honored to call friend!


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John Whitehead
John Whitehead
Jun 12, 2024
Replying to

Thanks, brother! Blessed to be your friend as well!

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John presents his own storied past, struggles with drug and alcohol abuse, mistakes in business due to lack of role models, family history challenged by divorce, violence and abuse.

5730 Columbia Circle

West Palm Beach, Fl 33407

Phone: 1-561-863-8161

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