Gratitude for granted

Many times, we take for granted the things that we have. We think that it is automatic for people to have what we have, maybe because we think that it is something that is just there or we are so used to having something that we think everyone has it.

Where am I coming from with this? I realized that I have friends who actually care for me. Friends who are looking out for me and are careful to see that I am fine. I have had great friends in my life but I realized today, rather just a few minutes ago, that, because I have always had close friends I have been assuming that everyone else has a friend.

I have friends who ask me how am doing even when my life seems so 'exciting' with so many things to do.
I have friends who would notice that am being silent and that maybe something is not going alright and they ask me 'what's up?'
I have friends who make it an intention to make me laugh when I am dry and tired.
I have friends who call me up and say that they've missed me and that they just wanted to tell me that.
I have friends that get mad at me when I am not telling them whats going on in my life and they get more mad when I do not ask for their help if I have something 'big' to do.
I have friends who just sit with me in silence, who laugh at me and hug me whenever am down...(sometimes I do not want it but they do not care, they still do it anyway.

I have always thought that it is natural to have such people in your life but today I realized that that is not the case. I wonder if my friends think of me as someone who does that for them.:)

In short, am grateful for them and from now on, I will not take them for granted. Are you taking for granted the people that are in your life or are you grateful for them. ...Ama Kweli.

Mwalimu.