I have long suspected that my friend, Suzy, is either the best influence in my life or the absolute worst. There is no middle ground. It all started with a phone call. I had seen them—tiny, fluffy bundles of temptation—the cutest Chocolate Orpington chicks Tractor Supply had ever dared to put in front of me. My heart said yes, my wallet said maybe, and my better judgment (the voice of reason I sometimes listen to) reminded me that I was heading out of town. God kept me out of trouble, I told myself. If I was going to be gone, I couldn’t possibly buy them. Crisis averted.
But friendship is a funny thing. Because the moment I called Suzy to relay this triumph of restraint, she did not congratulate me. She did not applaud my ability to walk away. Instead, she laughed and, with absolutely no hesitation, said, “Go ahead and get them. I’ll babysit.” This, dear readers, is what I mean when I say best friends are either life’s greatest blessing or the most delightful enablers of chaos. One moment, they are your voice of reason, guiding you toward good decisions. The next, they are handing you the shovel to dig deeper into your very specific brand of mischief.
So, naturally, I bought the chicks. And let me tell you, knowing Suzy was fussing over those tiny feathered fluffballs while I was away solidified something I’ve always known—she gets it. She understands that some passions, no matter how silly or impractical, are worth embracing wholeheartedly. Some people collect stamps or antique teacups. I collect chickens. Ceramic ones, real ones, fictional ones—I am an equal opportunity chicken enthusiast.
A best friend isn’t just someone who tolerates your quirks. They actively encourage them. They remind you that joy comes in many forms, whether it’s adding another ceramic rooster to an already overcrowded shelf or sneaking a few Chocolate Orpingtons into your growing flock. They know when to say “Maybe you should reconsider” and when to say “Go ahead and do it, I’ve got your back.” So, is Suzy the best friend or the worst influence? I say both. And honestly, that’s exactly the kind of friend everyone needs.
Now, what about you? Do you have a best friend who, despite their best intentions, somehow manages to be both your greatest support and your biggest enabler? The one who encourages your whims, fuels your harmless obsessions, and stands beside you even when they probably shouldn’t? If so—hold onto them. That’s the kind of friendship that makes life fun, unpredictable, and full of stories worth telling.
Jann Goar Franklin graduated Russellville High School in 1985 and lives in Grand Cane, Louisiana. She also writes books, which are for sale at The Village Loft in downtown Grand Cane and Chapters and Charms in Stonewall. You can learn more about her at www.jannfranklin.com, or reach her at jann@jannfranklin.com