IN these days when even the worst person in the world could probably rustle up a few hundred Facebook ‘friends’, it’s nice to be reminded what the word really means.

And it’s surely more sensible to think about those people who are lovely in your life as opposed to any meanies whose rude, cruel or selfish behaviour causes pain.

People can be rotten, but they can also be wonderful and we all know it makes sense to cut the chaff away and treasure the wheat.

The ‘wheat’ would be a friend who is generous of spirit and available (would you call them in an emergency?), trustworthy and loyal.

Personally, I appreciate the little acts of support which indicate who’s a real friend and who’s not. It all stems from my schooldays, when one person stood up to a gossip on my behalf – it was a more serious situation than it might sound - and I have never forgotten how that act was a light in a dark time.

It has been reinforced to me how much support I am lucky to have because of my friends’ response to my latest hospital procedure.

Itry not to bore everyone around me with the details of what’s going on with my health as, for starters, we all know there’s nothing duller than someone whining monotonously about their aches and pains.

I fear that people will be beyond fatigued, having had to listen to four years of my woe thus far.

But the key people in my life have been fabulous. For a start, my boss (who I consider a friend) has been completely supportive of yet another absence. If I am not at the pain clinic, I am seeing the clinical psychologist or I am off for another MRI.

He never bats an eyelid, and just trusts me implicitly to get my work done. I doubt many employers would be so tolerant.

I received kind and thoughtful texts and calls from work colleagues, family and friends, and I came home to find that a specially designed card from one of my college mates had arrived in the post.

Our neighbours brought roses, cards and some food to sustain us while the chef of the house was off-duty.

And I was gobsmacked when, just before I went into hospital, I got home after Pilates to find a goody bag that my friend L had left at our home.

It was full of magazines, chocolates and treats to sustain me during my convalescence, and her thoughtfulness was so touching. 

I hope she knows that, as The Jackson Five once (almost) sang, whenever she needs me, I’ll be there for her, too - just as a friend should.