My Dear Friends

Do you have any real friends? If so, can you partake in your joy or worry with them? I think friends are the most important part of life. Sometimes we tend to forget about it, because it is so natural to spend time with them. However when you are troubled or they make you happy, you would notice how important they are!

Imagine if you had no friends at school. In that situation, could you spend a good school life? I do not think so. You will feel lonely and you would want to have friends to eat lunch or study together with. Also if you have trouble, you would not have any advisesr to help you solve it.

When I was studying in New Zealand for a year, I thought friends were so important. I went to Waipukurau, where there were no Japanese except Miki, who was from my high school, and I. We could make many friends of Kiwis and overseas students soon. Among those friends, there was Tracey, who was a year younger than us. She loved studying Japanese, so we taught her our own language, culture, food and so on. Unfortunately, she did not have many friends. Therefore she spent lunch or break time with us. We shared many interesting stories, complaints and pleasures. She was always next to me when I had trouble. However, the day I had to go back to Japan eventually came. She cried so much for me and she said that it was the first time that she had a real friend. When I heard that, I noticed how important she was and that the reason I had a great life in Waipukurau was that she always thought about me. After I realized it, my tears could not stop coming. Still now, she always addresses me as “Dear my best friend” by e-mail.

In this university, I have friends who help me when I have trouble with my boyfriend, part-time job and so on. They always listen to my worries and think about it as seriously as if it were their own case. I cannot tell you how much I was helped by them.

Many of my friends ask me, “Why do you always look so happy?” It is embarrassing to answer truthfully, so I always say, “Because I am optimistic.” But today, I will tell you the truth. It is because my friends are always there!! I am grateful to have these friends. When they have worries, I will always be with them, too.