@xibee — While I agree that it’s nice that Pat does all these things for me, I can’t help but feel that he would do them for many other people as well, many of whom I would never consider friends, let alone help. I suppose it makes me feel like the gesture is less significant. Not that it’s not significant in itself, but less significant than my “gestures” since I’m only willing to do these things for the few who are accepted into my circle. These things shouldn’t be compared, but that’s my insecurity talking.

And I’ve come to accept my role as the “friend-in-waiting”. The friend who will always be there when needed, but so far, that day hasn’t come.

@Pearl — You bring up a good point about the long haul. I don’t believe that Pat is doing this as a long-term friendship investment though, he does it cause he’s a nice guy. For people like Pat (and this is rare), they do a good deed for the sake of doing it, not because they expect it to be reciprocated and you owing of them. Of course, because these people are so unselfish, it makes me want to do even more for them.

A bunch of great comments from you guys! They created even more topics for discussion that are beyond than the scope of my initial entry.

I think of the story of the old couple. The wife cooked and cleaned all their lives until her loss of health and then it was his turn to carry her in these things. Things balance out if the long haul is long enough.

If he didn’t do those things, then I’d worry about imbalance. Otherwise, you should just be there if he ever needs you and leave it at that. –Breathe.-