Throughout life we meet many acquaintances, people we know and people with whom we share a part of our journey through life. We are thankful for the footprint left by these individuals because the composition of the whole is responsible for who we are today.

Throughout life, however, there are those few people who leave more than a footprint on our lives. These individuals draw close in a relationship that involves more than sharing a part of the journey, but they share their lives on this journey. We call them friends.

Sadly, social media has redefined the way we think about friends. A friend is far more than someone who likes, comments on, or shares a link. The thought of having hundreds or thousands as friends through social media is a farce.

Knowing a few who are close friends is a great blessing in life. Many definitions of a friend exist. One that resonates with most says, “A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”

For those people in our life that are true friends, today and everyday, we give thanks.