What is a friend?

She is a person with whom you dare to be yourself.
Your soul can be naked with her.
She seems to ask of you to put nothing, only to be what you are.
She does not want you to be better or worse.
You do not have to be on your guard.
You can say what you think, so long as it is genuinely you.
She understand those contradictions in your nature that lead others to misjudge you.
She understands, you do not have to be careful.
You can weep with her, laugh with her and share with her,
Through it all, she is a friend.
What is a friend? Just one with whom you dare to be yourself.
Adapted from C. Raymond Beran