One Thousand

Over the past few days, I've had conversations about friendship. Nothing planned, but it just happened to come up in conversations. I am thinking about how our definition of friend changes over the years. In kindergarten, it was one thing. By second or third grade, you've been exposed to some of the "cruelties" of this world so your circle of friends shift. Then, you hit middle school. Throughout junior high and high school, your friends constantly change because you don't know who are yet; therefore, your friends for *that* week depend on your mood. :) And yes, the high school stage many times lingers into adulthood, and our life paths' connects us to different people along the way. People who enrich, support, and celebrate who we are! We finally find our fit and we call them friends!

Friendship is a beautiful thing--especially true friendship! It is to be cherished and nurtured! Below is one of my favorite poems about friendship by Rudyard Kipling. If you've found your "thousandth man," you are blessed and fortunate. Or on the other hand, maybe you are some one's "thousandth man"--what a rare treasure!

The Thousandth Man by Rudyard Kipling

One man in a thousand, Solomon says,
Will stick more close than a brother.
And it's worth while seeking him half your days
If you find him before the other.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend
On what the world sees in you,
But the Thousandth man will stand your friend
With the whole round world agin you.

'Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show
Will settle the finding for 'ee.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em go
By your looks, or your acts, or your glory.
But if he finds you and you find him.
The rest of the world don't matter;
For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim
With you in any water.

You can use his purse with no more talk
Than he uses yours for his spendings,
And laugh and meet in your daily walk
As though there had been no lendings.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em call
For silver and gold in their dealings;
But the Thousandth Man he's worth 'em all,
Because you can show him your feelings.

His wrong's your wrong, and his right's your right,
In season or out of season.
Stand up and back it in all men's sight --
With that for your only reason!
Nine hundred and ninety-nine can't bide
The shame or mocking or laughter,
But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side
To the gallows-foot -- and after!