It's all about God, Friends, and Family...

Proverbs 18:24

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother".

Proverbs 18:24

In the past year I have been fortunate enough to be a part of several celebrations of God, Family and Friends.  Two of particular note was a reunion with many former classmates.. Those special folks who made a memory

for me for life and rekindled the

love and caring of many years gone by.

As I shared with my group:

"My vision is of a lilac world

held in trust for me by friends who know

not that they are friends...

and those whom I've held only once.

I'd let them know but how...

I'd fit them in but when...

Still no ones need is that of being fitted in.

Each man demands his full round share of time...

but on those few who found time to fit me in...

schedule me somehow in their crowded lives..

I remember almost daily.

At night each returns

every bit as real as 

lilac smells on April days.

Another wonderful celebration was the 50th birthday party given by my brother

for his loving wife.  So many took the time on a Saturday afternoon to come together for great food, fellowship and to show their caring for a special person.

I don't know how I could have a friend closer than my brothers, but the same qualities are overlapping.  My sister in law and I didn't just discover the value of loving and caring people, but we were certainly reminded of what many times may be taken for granted:  Show ourselves friendly....and extend the kindly ways to those have become so important in our lives.  Whether from a distance or daily interaction;  whether from times of tears or laughter; whether good health or disease reside: the masterfile of memories have been burned indelibly in our minds...

We find courage and hope to begin each day...

and the satisfaction of a setting sun.

\

Lord,
  Thank you for loving friends.
  Thank you that so many times we read books and think of them.
So many times we think of old times and think of them.
So many times we fail and we think of words said that pick us up.
So many times we hold to what we did and where we stood.....
       together.
  We can weather
       many more storms
whence
       we think
of those who care.
       and look forward to seeing...each... again.