By JILL GERSHON

Friends ‑ what do they mean to you? Just someone to go out with on Friday nights? Someone to talk to, to get mad at, or someone to really care about?

Do you take your friends for granted? Well, you may not think so, but what do your friends think? Friends are easily put into categories ‑ the passing acquaintance, welcome to my world, and the best friend.

Friends are people to laugh with. Friends share your secret desires. Friends are always there when you need them.

Friends are always ready to listen to any problem you have and cry along with you. They almost always understand when they're left for another.

Friends are to be depended on for a lot; they know that. That's why they're always around when the going gets rough.

Friends are the best thing in the world to have, and you keep on getting more friends as life goes on.

Just remember and never forget friends are not to be taken for granted or used, because when you do take friends and throw them away, you're hurting yourself as well as your friend.

Pretty soon, everyone will be used up and gone; then you'll be all alone without anyone to help you or listen to you and your problems.

Have you treated any of your friends this way lately?