Note: Written for my best friend that I recently lost -- if I only could have shared this with him while he was alive. Don't hesitate to reach out to those you love and to tell them how you feel! If I could elucidate the difference you made, The things you did that can’t be repaid, It would astound you to fathom the debt that I owe, And the admiration for you that you’ll never know. You were there for me when I was young and looking for trouble, You were there to sift me from beneath the dust and rubble, I was struggling to deal and cope with the volatility of strife, Only gaining belated experience after my train wrecks in life. When I was a wayward vessel -- lost, confused, and afloat, You were the beacon of light that shined onto my drifting boat; Without your help I would have never made it this far, But instead of having my head in the sand, I am now admire each and every star. You encouraged, cheered, consoled, and advised, And provided more direction than you could have ever surmised, I can never repay you for the friend that you’ve been, My meager words of appreciation would just be a tempest of wind. It is sad that so many take for granted their luxuries and health, And their temporal extravagances of earthly, and nontransferable wealth, But without a friend to share the experiences and memories attained, Life is unfulfilled, and nothing has been gained! With all of my heart I now reach out and declare, That my life is so much richer because you were there; A true friend is forever, helping to conquer and vanquish, Dosing the flames of calamity, and the embers of anguish. I cherish our friendship that God provided by His Grace, And now you stand with Him in Heaven, face-to-Face, It is now in Heaven that He will repay you for the kindness you’ve shone, And present you with your Eternal reward next to His Throne. Reach out and hug those that you love friends -- time is short. Your pal, Humbly Irrelevant A true friend offers unconditional love, always! This in and of itself is not the reason to glory, IMHO. But rather that they allowed the Spirit of the living God to work in and through them. People like this are sacrificial even unto death. TR Agreed tenderreed -- God bless all those who allow "the Spirit of the living God to work in and through them" while they are alive. Unfortunately for us, we sure do miss them when they are gone. It seems like more good people leave early while those who cause dissension and turmoil live forever. We certainly do look forward to meeting our loved ones and friends in Heaven soon, along with all those that have crossed our paths in this life that we will get to know better in the next life. Take care, Humbly The impact that an individual can have on our lives is unfortunately not fully known until they are gone. They leave such a gaping hole in us. A hole that stays with us the rest of our lives. I went through a five year period where I lost one close friend each year. It’s devastating! God is so about relationship and he made sure He knit that into all of us. Wealth is meaningless. Acquisition is meaningless. “Things” are meaningless. But relationships are eternal and God cares greatly about them. You know what they say: Always a bride and never a bridesmaid! TR Yohanan, I too have lost close friends and watched friends loose children, wives, husbands. Heaven will be so sweet. Many years ago, I learned a valuable and true statement, we do not have a religion, born again believers have a “relationship” with our savior. :prayer-hands:
