Friends really are gifts

To me, the holiday season means I'm going to eat until I bust a gut and stay up late waiting for Santa.

While I wait to fall asleep, I don't think about what will be under the tree the next morning - I think about the gifts I already have.

Next to writing, friendship is the greatest gift I've ever received. They've complemented each other so well - my college career has been a great platform for me to connect the two.

Many semesters ago, I decided to write for The Altoona Collegiate Review, Penn State Altoona's newspaper.

I kept coming back as a staff member and people started walking by, saying hi and putting a name with a face - as well as complimenting me on my work.

Those same people who walked into my life as strangers are now a few of my best friends.

Someone once said that friendship is like a triangle, but I didn't quite understand what it meant.

Today, I get the big picture.

Everyone starts grade school with an entire class of friends - but as the years go by - true blue friends are the ones who are still at the top of the triangle. They may be few, but they're as genuine as they come. Some of mine come from all corners of the world.

I share different interests with all my friends, but there are two things that connect them in one big circle - they've all been able to break down the wall of awkwardness that my chair builds and appreciate me as not only a writer, but as a person.

It's a simple connection that applies to my teachers, professors and acquaintances as well.

In fact, many of them have advised and guided me to a career in writing. It's refreshing to be looked at as an equal rather than a bother or challenge. It seems as if all their guidance is paying off and I'm not taking any of it for granted.

Everyone has a different way of getting from Point A to Point B. Point A is the initial reaction most people have when they see me. Point B is a comfort zone the point where I feel like I can talk and laugh with good company. I think writing at least for me helps to bridge the gap between that awkwardness and comfort.

These are connections that if you take the time and effort to make, they become the greatest gifts you can give. You can even lighten Santa's load every year and skip the wrapping paper.

Erin Kelly, 24, was born with cerebral palsy in Seoul, Korea. She is a 24-year-old senior at Penn State Altoona. E-mail her at ekelly1006@hotmail.com.