The lords (and ladies) of small things

Talk about friendship, and it is a fair chance that people will bring out the heavy sentiment. You know, stuff like “A friend is always there when the going gets tough,” “A friend is always there when you need him or her,” “A friend is someone on whose shoulder you can cry when in trouble,” and so on and so forth.

Well, all that is true. But it is by no means the entire truth. Because while friends are always there for the BIG occasion – when the going is tough, when you are in trouble, and so on – they are at their best on the LITTLE occasions too.

Yep, friends are absolute masters (and mistresses) of the small stuff – things that may not seem as important as rushing over to your side when you have just been run over by a roadroller or are down to your last dollar, but are every bit as important in the long run.

They will call you up at all kinds of times and discuss matter. They will sit around and wait for you to finish your work even though they can potter off home. They will materialise at your doorstep and drag you out for a coffee that ten minute ago you did not feel like drinking. They will stuff earplugs resonating with strange tunes into your ears and ask your opinion of them. They will grab you the moment you come online and discuss strategies to set fire to your boss’ purple trousers....the list goes on.

A lot of it might sound ridiculous. Even flippant.

But you know, it’s almost as important as the serious, heavy stuff.

Because it is their way of telling you “You matter.” Because they want you to be there not just in serious situations but also routine ones. Because you mean something to them.

It’s their way of telling you, “You will not be forgotten. Because we will remember you.”

And I don’t think there’s anything more important than that.