Charmin-Ultra: Don't Squeeze Me

My little girl rushed out the door to say Hello to her best friend. She came back confused. 

"Mom, I said hi to her but she didn't say anything and didn't smile."

"Well, maybe she had something in mind", I tried to console her. 

"But she didn't say hi to me at school either. Did it happen to you too?", she asked. 

"Yes, it was the same to me too." I could see what she was thinking. 

"I thought we were best friends....", she got on her scooter and followed me home. 

I gave her a hug and told her I loved her. 

Honey, friendship is not easy. I am almost 50 and I still struggle with it. Sometimes I don't know what I say or what I do that cause a friendship rip. Sometimes I tried to confront it. Sometimes I tried to mend it. Sometimes I cried about it. But. It won't help. 

Friendship is tricky. Some people value the amount of time together. Some people care if you can give them what they want. Some people are okay if you see each other once a while. You just never know until you encounter a broken friendship. 

The thing is... we have no control over what others would think or react to us. They might think we are not what they want to be friends with and no matter how hard we try, it won't help. 

So my advice to you, my dear daughter, is to be strong and brave. Friends come and go. Time will tell. 

I know it hurts. I know it is confusing. I know it is not fair. But hey...this is life. Focus on what you have and give as much as you can without compromising yourself. Remember, our family is and will always be there for you.  When you are hurt, come home. When you feel sad, come home. When you need to reboot, come home. 

You will find friends who will stand by you no matter what. I quarantee you. As long as you are true to your friends, you will find true friends to you. 

I will always love you.