A bread and cheese friend is someone who will stick with you through thick and thin.
This is the person who is a true friend who doesn’t let you down.
A bread and cheese friend is the sort of loyal supporter who stands by you whatever the weather. If there’s a storm, your bread and cheese friend will be there and remain loyal in all the confusion and chaos.
Where does this phrase come from?
According to Jonathan Kent, a genuine bread and cheese friend “is one who will tear off a hunk of bread and cut you a good slice of cheese even when that’s all he has and his stomach is rumbling.”
One thing you quickly find out when you get a cancer diagnosis is just how important a bread and cheese friend actually is. If you are fortunate you might have more than one.
But friends of the bread and cheese variety are a rare thing in rough and tough times. It’s not uncommon for friends to suddenly go AWOL when you announce a change in your health status. People come and go and it is what it is.
A staunch, devoted and trusted friend is everything in the fog and panic of a serious illness. Accompanied by your fidus Aachates, you feel protected, cared for and valued.
In times of a cancer crisis, you need someone who is steadfast, steady and true, a cancer comrade and an ally that will be there for you, champion your corner and be a shoulder to cry on and laugh on too.
A bread and cheese friend doesn’t walk away at the first sign of trouble or break the relationship. What sort of friend would do that? Well, plenty apparently. I’ve heard of so many people abandoned by their ‘friends’, it is clear that a sizeable chunk of folks just cannot handle the reality of what one day might happen to them.
A good friend is worth their weight in gold (and cheese) because they are a source of strength, encouragement and support.
But there is a twist.
There is another friend you may have forgotten.
There is this friend that is always in your corner.
You know who that is?
Yes, the one friend you can rely on to get you through this is you. That’s right, you are the bread and cheese friend you’ve always wanted.
Unfortunately, we can’t always rely on others to be there for us and sometimes it does come down to just us.
But that’s okay, you are well qualified.
You are the biggest source of strength you’ve got.
You are the big cheese in your relationship.
You could be the best friend that you will ever have, if you allow yourself to be that is. There comes a time when you might have to be. You have full control.