My column last week was about "The Andy Griffith Show," one of television's most popular shows of all time. Andy Griffith (Andy Taylor) and Don Knotts (Barney Fife) were not only best friends in the show but remained that way throughout life. While thinking about what to write for this week's column, I thought why not friendship, so here it goes.

Friendship is defined as a combination of affection, love, loyalty, respect, and trust. True friendship is when someone knows you better than you might know yourself and in spite of your faults is always there for you in both good times as well as bad. Friendship is much more than just spending time together, and it is long lasting. Friendship requires loyalty, friends don't talk bad about each other when in conversations with other people. They don't repeat gossip or rumors that might hurt their friend.

Friendships can be formed in many ways, probably the most common way is because of our environment. Those of us who have lived in one town all our lives have formed many of our friendships through our  churches, our jobs, our neighborhoods, and our schools.

Years ago in many neighborhoods there were sidewalks, I think the absence of sidewalks in today's neighborhoods makes it harder to meet your neighbors. People used to walk down the sidewalks and speak to their neighbors as they would go by, that doesn't happen in the newer neighborhoods. Another change is many years ago a lot of homes had porches where people would gather, that also doesn't happen much anymore. Today many homes have central air conditioning which also keeps people indoors much of the time, still somehow people find ways to meet their neighbors and in some cases form long lasting friendships.

As we get older and go to college or join the military some of our friendships are formed there. I made some friends in college but none as meaningful as those I have made through twelve years of Sherman schools. The people who have served in the military have met people from all over the world and in some very unique ways, there will always be a special bond there that those of us who never served in the military can only imagine.

Songs about friendship:

"Friendship" was written by Cole Porter in 1934 for the musical "Anything Goes," it has been recorded by many of  America's great singers in its 86 years. A portion of the "Friendship" song was used as the theme for the "My Friend Irma" old time radio show.

"Help" was the soundtrack song from "The Beatles" 1965 movie of the same name.

"Lean on Me" in 1972 a very popular song for Bill Withers. Bill Withers passed away in March of this year, "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Use Me" were also popular hit songs for Bill. 

"Thank You for Being a Friend" sung by Cynthia Fee and written by Andrew Gold. It was used as the theme song for the popular television show "Golden Girls."

"That's What Friends Are For" was sung by Dionne Warwick.

"With a Little Help From My Friends" was a hit in 1967 for "The Beatles," a year later Joe Cocker recorded it and it became his signature hit.

"Wind Beneath My Wings" - Many artists recorded this song, three of the most popular versions were by Bette Midler, Gary Morris, and Roger Whittaker.

"You've Got A Friend" - Several artists recorded this song, in 1971 Carole King wrote and recorded probably the most popular version.

There have been many television shows based on friendships, however; none were more popular than one simply titled "Friends" which ran from 1994 to 2004. In 2015 The Hollywood Reporter named "Friends" as the most popular television show of all time, it ranked #21 on TV Guide's list of 50 Greatest TV Shows of all Time. The six main actors and actresses of the show appeared in every one of the series 235 episodes.

"Friends" may hold the record for the number of actors that appeared on the show; it was so popular that many of Hollywood's elite wanted to appear in at least one episode. Just a few of the 815 actors, actresses, and celebrities that appeared on the show include Dick Clark, George Clooney, Mark Consuelos, Billy Crystal, Elinor Donahue, Charlton Heston, Ralph Lauren, Jay Leno, Donny Osmond, Brad Pitt, Charlie Sheen, Brooke Shields, and Robin Williams. Morgan Fairchild was in five of the episodes and Tom Selleck was in ten.

Morgan Fairchild (Patsy Ann McClenny) was born in Dallas, Texas and was a 1967 graduate of Lake Highlands High School. Her first acting job was in 1967 as Faye Dunaway's double in the classic movie "Bonnie and Clyde."

There is a quote that I think is very true...it says "The best way to have a good friend is to be one." That's a very good thought. Another meaningful quote is "Side by side or miles apart, real friends are always closest to the heart."

If you have any comments or questions my e-mail address is deh63shs@yahoo.com.