rule #1 - you are not alone, and so are they.
god gave us the gift of friendship for we may never feel alone no matter what. we may find ourselves far from our family, but we can always make friends. and the best thing that anyone can do it to be there for them through joy and sadness. and also, at the same time, always remember that you have friends that you can count on. if you have always been there for them, they will surely be happy to lend a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, or just plain ears to listen to you.
being a friend requires one 