ABOUT FRIENDSHIP

Image: Irene Levine

Last month I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Irene Levine for a site that she contributes to, Play Goes Strong.

The time I spent with her on the phone felt more like a conversation with a friend than an interview. It turned out to be a very nice piece about "Millie the Blogger."

Here's a link to the post, Meet Millie: On the Way to Becoming the World’s Oldest Elder Blogger:

Millie is clearly smitten with blogging. "My life would be dull and empty without it," she says. "I'm able to learn from people all over the world. Then she adds: "When you're older, you don't have many listeners. The wonderful thing about blogging is that no one interrupts me."

In addition to that blog she has a blog of her own, "The Friendship Blog."

A September the post was titled "National Women's Friendship Month: 25 Ways to Make Yourself a Keeper."

25 Ways to Make Yourself a Keeper

1. If you make a promise, live up to that
   promise.
2. Be punctual, dependable, and reliable.
3. Show up when she needs you.
4. Be yourself. Who else can you be?
5. Accept that you are human and make
   mistakes. Apologize if you have said or done something wrong.
6. Accept that she is human and may make
   mistakes. Offer forgiveness.
7. Try not to moan too much.
8. Don't be guilty of giving out too much
   information (TMI) about yourself too soon.
9. Be loyal and trustworthy. Resist the urge to gossip or spread
   rumors about your friend.
10. Be a good listener, tune in to what
    your friend is saying, and try not to interrupt.
11. Let your friend know you are interested
    in her and make sure everything isn't about you.
12. Give her enough space so she doesn't
    feel boxed in.
13. Accept that you won't always be on the same page because you are
    two different people.
14. Be willing to make sacrifices and
    compromise.
15. Be a comfort blanket but don't smother
    her.
16. Remember if she detests olives in her
    salad or anchovies on her pizza.
17. Resist saying "I told you so" even if
    you did.
18. If she has three sick kids, offer to
    help out.
19. Don't sleep with her boyfriend or be overly flirtatious with her
    husband.
20. Share her successes and find ways to celebrate them.
21. Don't brag too much when she's feeling down.
22. Don't let too much time elapse between get-togethers.
23. Don't be shy about letting her know when her behavior is
    endangering her health or is likely to have other adverse consequences.
24. Don't harp and constantly remind her of her bad habits.
25. Let her know how much you value her friendship.

It's the best thing I've ever read about friendship! It's a keeper!!

Which ones would you choose to make you a better friend?

All of those listed are so meaningful, I think it will be hard to narrow them down! You might even want to add some of your own special ideas!!