The forgotten ones- Not so forgotten

You guys are my friends- and I am proud of that.

When I was in my twenties, my mom used to say,”Can’t you have all your friends as doctors and professionals”. As time passed by, I have heard this from people close to me- my family, friends who are professionals and people who thought and believed are close to me. There is a disdain in their voice. I used to laugh it out but not any more. I just want them to know what I really think.

I have friends in high places. Friends who are in position to make decisions. Friends who by their profession have reached a status. Friends who by their wealth are who they are. I have friends to take me to clubs, buy drinks, spend on star hotels and take me on drives in their luxury cars. I have friends who would like to display their wealth and financial power, friends who would love to invite me home to show that they live in a palatial house and friends who are considering me to be their friend because of who I am in the society.

I also have a friend who was my best man in my wedding but was nobody at that time. He was not my parent’s choice. Today he is the Sr VP in Reliance Broadband and is in charge for the entire country for 4G. He was in Phillips as SrVP before. I also have a friend of Burmese origin whom I got to know during my college days but my people wondered what I was doing with him as he was not a medico. He resigned as the SE Asia American Express top official and is having his own company and his wife was the Collector of Chennai, an IAS officer. I also have a friend who was a high school diploma holder who later got his BS, worked as a teller before he signed his voluntary retirement papers and went through tough times after that. My family had difficult times comprehending what I was still doing with him. He is the President of a Private Bank and a Director in another Bank. I also have a friend who was a buzz boy and a waiter and grew up to become the Director of Taj Groups in South India. I also have friends who have high school diplomas, but are successful, running businesses from leather to lights and are in my place at a moment’s notice.

Lost in this myriad of friends are also friends who have known me for 30 plus years. They don’t have anything to brag about. But they have their doors open for me always. No calls, no appointments, gate crash and you are the most wanted and loved person in their world. The spouses sleep in different rooms during my stay giving me their only comfort of an airconditioned room and ordering food when they are running on a tight budget. They show up each and every time at the airport for my entire family whether together or coming individually- it doesn’t make a difference of who is coming, but it is “Kripa’s family”, is all that matters. One AM or Four AM- whether they have work or not, the next day- they are there. I have friends who cry with me when I am hurt, laugh because I am happy, comfort knowing that they have nothing to offer other than words, rush to help my parents because I said so, take time off to give me company because I am bored, go with me to places of worship not just because I want to but also to offer their prayers to help me get through the problems I have.

With no disrespect for any friend, I want everyone who are in my life to know that you can’t buy love, you can’t barter love, you can’t buy trust, you can’t buy goodwill. Time to take a look at one’s priorities. To my friends who are struggling or having a tough time, just know and believe I will be there at a moment’s notice if you ever need me and I will be proud to call you my friend.