Before I had tons of friends, but as I grow old, the number starts to dwindle until I only have a handful of friends. What happened to those other friends? Then I realized that those other friends, they were not truly my friends, they were just passing through. Your true friends are those who stay up with you through the ups and downs of life until now. They are not there because you've got something they need you for. They are there because they want to support you and in return, get your support when they need it. To help each other as you go through the ups and downs of life. If they are still there even when you are down, then it shows that you truly are their friend and appreciate your friendship and will be there to help you go back up. If they are only with you when you are up on the seesaw of life, then they're not really your friends. You are only their friend for the good times. Oh yes, this also applies to family.
(I wrote this in 2013 and yet it still holds true)