Southern Friends
The older I get the more I understand the good fortune I had of being born in the South. I also have learned that everywhere in this country people have what they refer to as friends which to them could be their best pal from first grade or the cashier at the local grocery store that remembers their name, it doesn’t matter if they’ve known the individual decades or minutes, they are considered a friend.
In the South, even as a small child, I understood the difference between “knowing of” someone, an acquaintance, an associate (usually business-related) and a friend. In the South, you have Best Friends and here it is possible and commonplace to have more than one.
Unfortunately, none of my Best Friends live close by, they are all several hours drive or several hours flight away. However, whether I saw them last week or last year, I can show up at their homes welcome anytime. I know their kitchens, they know mine. If I’m there and get up first, I make coffee and/or breakfast. If they’re here and they get up first, they make coffee and/or breakfast. When they ask “How’s your family?” they actually want to know and expect to hear not just about my son or Darlin’ Boy, but Mama and Daddy, my brother, his wife and any antics of any of the
Aunts, Uncles or Cousins that may have transpired since the last time we talked. And while I may never have laid eyes on some of their family members, I know all about them, ask after them and can remember the details that have changed since the last time I asked.
This was sent to me by one of my best friends—cheers to the author!! No matter where you live, I hope you have the good fortune of having a “southern friend”!
FRIENDS” VS. “SOUTHERN” FRIENDS
FRIENDS: Never ask for food.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Always bring the food. And lots of It.FRIENDS: Will say “hello”.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss. More than one.FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Call your parents Mom and Dad, and hug and kiss them hello too.FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Cry with you; and for you.FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, and just being together. Then do the dishes before leaving.FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you. And most of the time know you better than you do yourself.FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that’s what the crowd is doing.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Will kick the back-ends of the whole crowd that left you. Then walk beside you in the front of the crowd.FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, “I’m home!” If you are not home they will wait.FRIENDS: Are for a while.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Are for life. And then some.



