In life one meets and makes many friends. Some remain acquaintances with whom we share pleasantries. Childhood friends mature and remain for life or are not traceable. Fair weather friends are the ones with whom we can party or watch a movie, exactly for the sake of company.

True friendship proves for itself with life's situations. One can make friends at any age. Marriage too is about friendship and so is rearing kids. Ever felt that sudden desire to call your best friend to tell him/her about the new child in the family? Did you felt better after crying over the phone and talking to your friend about some silly problem? Elated feelings and sadness needs to be shared.

A friend corrects you when you wear the wrong make up, compliments you at that writing skill you have, encourages you when you try out a recipe (ignoring the excess salt) , cares for you by walking the extra mile, takes you to a movie sensing you are amiss and is strict with you when you go overboard. These are the tests of friendship. As you sit in solitude, look at your fingers and count your friends, you will be amazed to find only a few.

Friendship does not restrict itself to rules of gender, age, class or distance. The inclination to communicate is essential. Holding grudges and taking pot shots only spoils a friendship. One also needs to be magnanimous by accepting the short comings of a friend. This is a major adjustment and accepts a friend as he is. Suggest but do not expect him to comply with your standards.

There is only failure when one tries to be a please-all. Compromise but also effectively clarify. When one projects an unfazed exterior and in mind goes through a gamut of negative feelings, that friendship will be short-lived.

Not by money, looks or time, but by truth is what friendship grows. In present times where one is exulted by career progress naturally there occurs a paucity of time. Excuses stem from this and many a friendship silently die. The ultimate aim of life is to be 'happy' and materialistic products offer very short shelf-life.

Make time for a pet, your child, your spouse, and never forget to make a friend feel special. You may have missed the birthday but be there for a friend when the path is not even. Giving a shoulder to cry on is a temporary support, Be solid like a rock to tide away the storms that test your friendship.