here is the essay
Friendship
A dictionary contains a definition of friendship somewhere in the F’s between the words “fear” and “Friday.” An encyclopedia supplies interesting facts on friendship. But all the definitions and facts do not convey what friendship is really all about. It cannot be understood through words or exaggerations. The only way to understand friendship is through experience. It is an experience that involves all the senses.
Friendship can be seen. It is seen in an old couple sitting in the park holding hands. It is the way they touch, a touch as light as a leaf floating in the autumn air, a touch so strong that years of living could not pull them apart. Friendship is seen in a child freely sharing the last cookie. It is the small arm over the shoulder of another as they walk on the playground. Seeing friendship is not casual. It is watching for subtlety, but friendship is there for eyes that can see.
Friendship can be heard. It is heard in the words of two friends who squeezed in lunch together on an extremely busy day. It is the way they talk to each other, not the words. Their tone is unique. Friendship can be heard by those willing to listen.
Friendship is felt in a touch. It is a pat on the back from a teammate, a high five between classes, the slimy, wet kiss from the family dog. It’s a touch that reassures that someone is there, someone who cares. The touch communicates more than words or gestures. It is instantly understood and speaks volumes beyond the point of contact, to the heart.
Friendship has a taste. It tastes like homemade bread, the ingredients all measured and planned, then carefully mixed and kneaded, then the quiet waiting as the dough rises. Hot from the oven, the bread tastes more than the sum of its ingredients. There is something else there, perhaps the thoughts of the baker as her hands knead the dough, or her patience as she waits for the dough to rise. Unseen and unmeasured, this is the ingredient that makes the difference. Warm, fresh from the oven with a little butter, the difference you taste is friendship.
Friendship has a smell. It smells like the slightly burnt cookies your brother made especially for you. It smells like your home when stepping into it after being away for a long time. It smells like a sandbox or a sweaty gym. Friendship has a variety of smells. Taken for granted at the moment, they define the memory of friendship.
Finally, more than the other senses, friendship is an experience of the heart. It is the language of the heart—a language without words, vowels, or consonants; a language that, whether seen, felt, heard, or tasted, is understood by the heart. Like air fills the lungs, friendship fills the heart, allowing us to experience the best life has to offer: a friend.
Friendship is an intangible concept that cannot be fully explained by definitions or facts. To truly understand friendship, one must experience it firsthand. It is a complex and deeply meaningful connection, involving all the senses.
Friendship can be observed through sight. One can witness the bond between an elderly couple, their hands intertwined as they sit in the park. The gentle touch they share demonstrates a profound connection, one that has withstood the test of time. Friendship is also visible in the actions of a child who willingly shares their last cookie, or the arm wrapped around a friend's shoulder as they stroll through the playground. To truly see friendship, one must be attentive to the subtleties.
Friendship can also be perceived through sound. When two friends find a moment in their busy lives to squeeze in a lunch together, it is not the words they exchange that reveal their friendship, but the unique tone and manner of their communication. Friendship can only be truly heard by those who are willing to listen.
Furthermore, friendship can be felt through touch. A teammate giving a pat on the back, or a high five exchanged between classes, conveys a sense of reassurance and care. Even the wet kiss from a beloved pet communicates a connection that goes beyond words or gestures. These touches are instantly understood and speak directly to the heart.
Friendship also has a taste, reminiscent of homemade bread. The act of meticulously measuring and kneading the ingredients, combined with the patience of waiting for the dough to rise, adds an intangible element to the taste. This extra ingredient, which cannot be measured, represents the essence of friendship. When warm bread is enjoyed with a touch of butter, the taste captures the essence of friendship.
Similarly, friendship has a distinct smell. Whether it is the slightly burnt cookies made by a brother with love, or the familiar scent that envelopes one's home after a long absence, these smells define the memories of friendship. Though often overlooked, these scents hold a significant place in the experience of friendship.
Ultimately, friendship is an experience of the heart, surpassing the other senses. It is a language of the heart that transcends words, vowels, and consonants. Friendship fills the heart, much like air fills the lungs, allowing us to experience the beauty and joy that life has to offer. A true friend is a treasure, and the experience of friendship enriches our lives in immeasurable ways.