An Experience with a Friend
05/25/2020
Birds of a Feather
Friendship Through Understanding
“Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.”
―
True friendship is forged on the basis of understanding. The more I am able to understand my friends, the more our relationship is cemented and is allowed to grow. Mere experience can’t define a fully-fledged friendship, but understanding for one another, even between the most adversely opposed people, can start the groundwork for a true friendship. Though I tend to relate to my best friends culturally and intellectually, that alone proves understanding is a significant factor in my attachments. They are able to relate to me more, and a bonus is they like the same things I do too.
Our parents studied the same profession, our moms worked at the same place, and then we ended up living in the same general area. From having a parent who had their jobs in Ghana for six months, and having that same dynamic of moving in life, the first time, I met the two brothers, if felt like I had known them for a lifetime. As this was a year after I had moved from Ghana, there was a lot I had to be introduced to, which they did for me. Through them, I quickly got into the realm of video games mainly so I could play with them, and I had found people that could already accept, and were used to what separated me from most.
They understood me, and I them. They understood the foods that I would eat; they understood the importance of academics in my life, and they understood and embodied what I needed in a friend.
True, not everyone has their “perfect matches,” but what is important is to find understanding, maybe without the alleviator of relatability.
Great writing Yoni! I liked the writing and words you used like mere and realm they made the story more interesting and fun to read.
Posted by: Rory Kennealy | 02/21/2020 at 11:16 AM
Great parallel structure in the second to last paragraph. This is a good piece and gives me a strong narrative voice. Great job!
Posted by: Eli Zahavi | 02/21/2020 at 11:32 AM
This was interesting to read, as it is rare that I am experienced to a story such as yours. It was also interesting how you almost touched on a little of the Of Mice and Men dynamic, in how even people who are different can still come together with understanding.
Posted by: Nick Brady | 02/21/2020 at 11:39 AM
This is some fine writing Yoni. It was cool how you used “They understood” in your parallel structure. Great job.
Posted by: Sean L | 02/23/2020 at 05:07 AM
Wow, Yoni, this is good. You started this piece off with an explosive first sentence that compelled me to continue reading. You could not have picked a more fitting title by the way. Well done.
Posted by: Oliver Ali | 02/23/2020 at 11:33 AM
Yoni this piece was truly great, and was one that everyone can relate to, great job!
Posted by: Max LG | 02/23/2020 at 11:52 AM
You hooked me in with that very first line and I could have not felt so similarly. You did an amazing job showing us what a real friendship is.
Posted by: Will S. | 02/23/2020 at 02:05 PM
The first paragraph was awesome, the words and lines you wrote were great. I like how you didn’t get off track with your theme or anything.
Posted by: Colin Soukup | 02/23/2020 at 04:01 PM
I thought you did a great job showing how your friends embodied everything you wanted in a friend, and how you guys understood each other perfectly. This was a very relatable piece and you did a great job.
Posted by: William O'Malley | 02/23/2020 at 06:51 PM
Wow, Yoni! Once again you brought the best of your writing self. Your use of parallel structure really got the message down, and your first paragraph was AWESOME! And that hook in the beginning was great. Good job Yoni!
Posted by: Dylan | 02/23/2020 at 06:56 PM
You started with a great hook, and it kept getting better. Your story is incredible, how you met friends who lead you through a challenging year, and introduced you to something you now love. Nice job!
Posted by: Ethan Rich | 02/24/2020 at 03:00 PM