TO A FRIEND

You entered my life in a casual way,
And saw at a glance what I needed;
There were others who passed me or met me each day,
But never a one of them heeded.
Perhaps you were thinking of other folks more,
Or chance simply seemed to decree it,
I know there were many such chances before,
But the others-well, they didn't see it.
You said just the thing that I wished you would say,
And you made me believe that you meant it;
I held up my head in the old gallant way,
And resolved you should never repent it.

There are times when encouragement means such a lot,
And a word is enough to convey it;
There were others who could have, as easy as not,
But, just the same, they didn't say it.

There may have been someone who could have done more
To help me along, though I doubt it;
What I needed was cheering, and always before
They had let me plod onward without it.
You helped to refashion the dream of my heart,
And made me turn eagerly to it;
There were others who might have (I question that part)-
But, after all, they didn't do it

GRACE STRICKER DAWSON

WHAT IS A FRIEND?

A friend is somebody
who knows you and likes you
Exactly the way that you are,
Someone who's special
and so close in thought
that no distance can ever seem far.
A friend understands you
without any words,
Stands by you
when nothing goes right,
And willingly talks
over problems with you
Till they somehow
just vanishfrom sight...
And whether you're neighbors
or live miles apart,
A word from a friend gives a lift
To your heart and spirit
that shows you once more
Why friendship is life's dearest gift!
....Unknown