Special People

It's been a while since I've posted, so if you're still here, scrolling through my blog, reading my posts, I thank you.
      I've got a story I more than want to share... I feel the need to.
I made a friend a few months ago. This person and I met, and we instantly clicked. Sometimes it's extremely easy to get along with someone, it could be that you like the same things, or you listen to the same music.. you could bond over something as simple as liking the same beer. Whatever the case, this friend and I have a lot in common, and we get along really well. As I said, it's only been a few months. Maybe three months, if even that, since we met. Regardless of the amount of time we've known each other, I've grown to love this person. I've come to care about this person very strongly. We've begun to spend more time together and get to know each other on a deeper level, and my, do I love him more every day. I believe we've created a strong and healthy friendship and I am grateful to have him. 
      The point of this post is to share that I've learned, over the weeks, how this person feels about himself. He is a sweet, friendly, silly, adventure-seeking kid like the rest of us. Unfortunately, he doesn't always see that. To be honest, he doesn't see much at all when he looks in the mirror. As time has passed, I've paid more and more attention to this friend's behavior and his word-choice when he speaks about himself. I've gathered that he truly doesn't find as much worth in himself and his life as he really has. It's easy to become blind to your own worth sometimes, especially when there are certain people helping cloud that for you. This friend, he cares about other people. He has fun in his eyes when he laughs. He is good company, and he has become someone important to me. 
     A few nights ago, this special person and I we're headed home from a get together with some friends we share. I told him I'd give him a ride, and said it was time to go. Learning this news, he grabs a new beer from the fridge. Of course, I ask why he's doing this, considering I just said we were taking off, and I don't want that open bottle in my car. He replies that he just wants to chug the whole bottle "real quick" and get "more messed up." (Mind you, he was already well passed his limit, you could see the sadness in his eyes.) I told him it was unnecessary, and that he's better than the person he's acting like just because he's hurt. This friend, amongst many other regular life struggles, has a girl issue. The whole 'I like this girl, but she likes another dude,' issue. The same boat one million and five of us have been in before... Well, in his drunken state, while in my car on the way to drop him off at home, he blurts out, in silence (and the radio low in the background), "I don't think I care anymore,"
so naturally, I respond, "About what?"
He says, "Anything."
We sat in silence for a few more minutes. He mentions to me that he is sorry if he offended me back at the party, and he's curious if I'm angry at him. This is when I decided to be brutally honest.
"The only thing about our friendship that pisses me off, honestly, is that sometimes you care less about yourself than I do. Sometimes you act like you completely don't give a shit about your own self, and it's not fair to people who care about you and want to see you do well. It's selfish, to sit here in my passenger seat as I make sure you get home safe, and as you know very well how important your happiness is to me, for you to just tell me you don't care about anything. It may seem silly, but your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and drinking your problems "away" won't solve a damn thing. I've gone through some depressing times, and I know depression when I see it, big or small. You've got to care about yourself, about your own well-being. You let people get close to you, and they're gonna start caring about you. I don't wanna see you beating yourself up and feeling like shit constantly. You've gotta pick yourself up. You're better than this. You're better when you're happy. Things get better but, man, you've got to let them. You can't keep your head down. I'm here for you and I promise that."
He sat silent, so I added, "I'm sorry if I crossed a line, but -"
"No," he stopped me.
Then we both said "Sometimes you need to hear it," at the same time.
He stayed quiet, though. After a few minutes, I asked, "Are you alright?"
His response is the reason for his whole post.
His response is the reason I keep doing what I do... Giving advice when I can, telling random people how worth-it they are, pushing to put a smile where a frown is found.
His response.. "I'm okay... You just made me feel special for a minute."
"That's because you are," I told him.

    WE ARE ALL SPECIAL. We all deserve a friend who cares about us enough to be a little harsh in order to get it through to us that we are awesome. We all deserve to be our own friend. We are all worthy, so worthy, of love and care and time and whatever else you think you aren't worthy of. We are ALL fighting a battle, but NONE of us are alone. So, if you're still with me, if you're still reading, do me a favor and tell someone today that they are worth it. Tell someone, whether it be a stranger or your very best friend or your mother, let someone know they are cared about, and the world would be different without them. Everyone needs a pick-me-up once in a while, and a random one is the best kind - blindside someone with kindness today, Love them. Love yourself. Love ALL.

Thanks for reading guys, I know this isn't like my usual posts, but I had to share. I love each and every one of you!!