What is a true friend?

The term 'true'...

I have friends with whom I only communicate every few years or so.

Sometimes, when I reach out, there's no reply, or I get responses like, "Were we really that close?"

In those moments, I'm surprised, but still, in my heart, they are true friends.

Even if the other person doesn't realize it.

What matters is how I feel, not how I'm perceived by others.

Even if we only connect every few years, even if we're far apart, even if our busy lives never sync up for a meeting,

In my heart, I'm always cheering for them.

And if they're living happily somewhere, that's the greatest joy for me.

Those who make me feel this way are my 'true friends.'

I love them all.

Friends aren't objects of dependence,

You don't have to meet them every week,

The notion that it's a relationship where you have to help each other when in trouble is a common perception, but

There are no fixed forms.

Not helping each other means you're not friends? That's absolutely not true.

Even among friends, there are things you can't help with.

Still, they're friends because I care about them. In my world, there's no hierarchy.

I love them all.