For my good friend: Thank you, Lee :)

I was an unhappy, surly kid. I squirmed when people tried to touch me, glared angrily when others talked about my looks, and would bite anyone who attempted to pat my head. On my sister's 6th birthday, after a getting into a fight with two older boys at the party who talked trash, my mother yanked me to a corner and snarled this was the reason why I have no friends.

Flash forward 15 years. When I'm at my lowest and feel no one cares for what I have to say or what will happen to me, I get a sweet message in my inbox wishing me all the best in my job search and reminding me she loves me. We may have our big differences; I'm unhappy with her take on racial politics, she's gets upset when I bring up criticism of China, but we always have each other's back. And in the end, it's the act of kindness that counts, not rhetoric.

So call a friend, and show your appreciation :)