Boys FAMILY SPOTLIGHT THOUGHTS FROM GIRLS AND BOYS TOWN The Original Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home Friendship Helps Love Flourish Father Val J. Peter, JCD, STD You must understand whatit meansto bereliable. romance this St. Valentine’s Day, impossible to depict Town are learning to trust again and to make true friends. Their relationships prior to arriving here have left them feeling confused and vulnerable. These skills help them and can help you build positive relationships that last a lifetime. You can be a better parent, spouse—orjust a better person. Friendship and friends are the heartofourlife. We teach our children these tirely displayed in a about. Our kids notice the difference after they practice them, and (NAPSA)—Asour hearts turn toward the promise of love and it is important to mention an oldfashioned but vital part of this holiday—friendship. While most modern television shows and films reduce love to its most basic levels, the basis for true affection is and always will : be friendship. The skills and art of friendship are in a two-minute movie scene. In fact, they couldn’t be en- J. full-length film or television series. Friendship is about relationships, support, reliability and helpfulness. So whyis friendship so difficult? Whyis it so hard to get close to others and to let them get close to us? Maybe people find it diffi- cult because they have been hurt and are afraid to be vulnerable. That is why learning friendship skills are so important. Here are some friendship skills we teach our children here at Girls and Boys Town: Friendship is sharing—com- mon interests, happy times, sad times, our fears and secrets. e Friendship is liking each other. You must give of yourself to be a friend. You must be there for your friend when she needs you. Your friend is there for you when you need him. Your friends need to trust you, and you them. Our children at Girls and Boys skills because they are whatlife, marriage, and family are all youwill too. One of the most commonthings our children tell us is: “We like it here because we are becoming real friends to each other. Helping each other, caring for each other.” So in preparation for this festive holiday, practice or improve upon your friendship skills. The effort to open your heart is worth the risk. Girls and Boys Town, the original Father Flanagan's Boys’ Home, is a leader in the direct treatment and care of abused, abandoned and neglected girls and boys. Through 19 sites across the country, the organization directly cares for more than 40,000girls and boys annually. Girls and Boys Town also assists 1.5 million children and parents throughits National Hotline (1-800-448-3000), outreach andtraining programs and community partnerships. @
