Give thanks for friends
Even during the appearance of great danger in the world, it is
still a very wonderful time to take inventory of the gifts that have
been given us throughout our lives. The more Thanksgivings and
Christmases I experience, the more I realize that for me the greatest
gift of all is my friendships. The precious hours we spend together,
whether in school, church, home or at work, are so often overlooked
as we search for "something" outside of our relationships that we
think will bring us happiness. The gift of love, so near and
available through our friends and families, is the pearl of great
price seldom remembered in a world that is filled with both the fear
of intimacy and a passion for cheap and expensive imitations.
I think it would be great if we could exchange all of our
self-imposed fears, judgments and religious intolerance for just one
hour of loving without restrictions or conditions. I believe that
would be enough to change the world. Whenever the time for me to
leave this world comes, if there are any regrets, it will not be that
I have not convinced more people that my way is the right way or that
my religion is the right one. No, I think my regrets would be for the
missed opportunities to tell my dear friends how much I appreciate
and love them. So many caring friends have blessed my life that it
would require at least another lifetime to tell them all how much
they have truly meant to me.
A few years ago, while I passed through a period of my life which
seemed like the dark night of the soul, I wrote a very simple poem
which, while limited by the use of words for feelings beyond my
ability to express, still seems the best way I could tell you how
important friends are to me.
I hope you enjoy reading it.
When life is good and all is well, Thank God for friends.
When things look tough and it seems like hell, Thank God for
friends.
When change is near and love feels like fear, Thank God for
friends.
When sickness comes and you need someone, Thank God for friends.
When loved ones leave and your heart is grieved, Thank God for
friends.
When work's a joy as life's employee, Thank God for friends.
Should angelic beings say celestial things, Thank God for friends.
If dreams come true and your world is new, Thank God for friends.
When your heart is light and there seems no night, Thank God for
friends.
When your light seems out and you're full of doubt, Thank God for
friends.
When you know for sure that love endures, Thank God for friends.
