a friend is like an institution that you choose to support, because it’s doing something that you think is important. maybe you support it financially, or maybe you give it your time by volunteering, just to go down and sit behind the desk there, and listen to the stories of whoever comes in.

a friend is like when you have a lunchbox that you use for a lot of years. you carry it around with you, and it helps you eat.

a friend is like a sapling that you plant and then water every 3 days, or just whenever you can, because the rain waters it too. it grows up and you sit in the cool shade in summer.

a friend is like a pillow that you sleep on. it is soft for you and helps you to rest.

a friend is like a medicine bottle. you carry it around with you, and it helps you stay healthy.

a friend is like a joke. you like to listen to it because it makes you laugh.

a friend is like a fish. you cast a line out and wait to see what bites.

a friend is like an oven. it makes a special warmth that’s useful for many things.

a friend is like math. it gets better the more you’re able to focus on it.

a friend is like a sunday comic strip. it rewards you a lot for sticking around a little bit longer.

a friend is like a childhood home. it was comforting while you lived there.

a friend is like a train. sometimes it comes, and sometimes it goes.

a friend is like an old tv show. something you remember fondly, even if it’s gone.

sometimes, a friend is like a memory. something you can hold close, even if it’s gone.