August brings thoughts of summer ending and fall beginning. It is a lovely time of year when the days are hazy lazy and the nights are full of soft breezes and starry skies. Friendships formed are settling in for a long winter which hopefully lasts a lifetime.

Friends

A Simple Friend can stand by you when you are right
A Real Friend will stand by you even when you are wrong.

A Simple Friend identifies himself when he calls.
A Real Friend doesn't have to.

A Simple Friend opens a conversation with a full news bulletin
on his life.
A Real Friend says, "What's new with you?"

A Simple Friend thinks the problems you whine about are recent.
A Real Friend says, "You've been whining about the same thing for 14 years. Get off your duff and do something about it."

A Simple Friend has never seen you cry.
A Real Friend has shoulders soggy from your tears

A Simple Friend doesn't know your parents' first names.
A Real Friend has their phone numbers in his address book.

A Simple Friend brings a bottle of wine to your party.
A Real Friend comes early to help you cook and stays late to help you clean.

A Simple Friend hates it when you call after he has gone to bed.
A Real Friend asks you why you took so long to call.

A Simple Friend seeks to talk with you about your problems.
A Real Friend seeks to help you with your problems.

A Simple Friend wonders about your romantic history.
A Real Friend could blackmail you with it.

A Simple Friend, when visiting, acts like a guest.
A Real Friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself/herself.

A Simple Friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument.

A Real Friend knows that it's not a friendship until after you've had a fight.

A Simple Friend expects you to always be there for them.
A Real Friend expects to always be there for you!

Author Unknown