Friendship is a precious gift I so treasure
many relationships I tenderly embrace
a true friendship withstands the pressure
when you are placed face to face
with differences of opinions and adversity
but I take this as an opportunity
to grow and go with the flow
sometimes I even advocate for diversity.
You see how friendships make me grow?!
Let us not talk of those present in my life..
I’d need a book or two to fill the richness
some angels have brought in my life.
They know who they are…
it’s a heartfelt sense of pure love…
And then there are friends who are
just passing through for a little while.
Some friends are here for just a season
like delightful school chums and working buddies;
that special friend that shared a desk
a coffee, a muffin in such and such a class.
Grace, who shared her deep dark secret
I listened, she cried, I listened some more;
who knew I might be faced with a similar
dilemma a few years down the road!?
Oh and that committee friend that made me laugh,
that task force we were sitting on that year.
How she helped me not take things so seriously.
My sailing and walking friend by the lake
great times spent for leisure’s sake;
But,some friends are here for a reason
and once departed I might see why;
Louise who encouraged me to keep
on trying to have a baby…
she knew the agony
the despair of waiting,
she too waited ten years
…my seven seems trivial by far.
My dearest neighbour and midnight friend,
Janet, how we shared so much together,
to speak aloud of what we shared
… oh my God!!! we’d never
be able to find this same measure
of understanding….of such treasured
secrets…shared in strict confidence.
She blessed my life with her love of life
her immense patience that unfortunately
did not rub off enough on me, but still,
it saved me and the kids tumultuous times;
it kept my marriage intact for a few more years
holding on, walking, talking, burning her ears.
she taught me to relax and play more
enjoy the kids, just play and roll on the floor
and be silly and just BE.
And Wayne, why did he leave so fast?
I still can’t accept he’s gone at last!
he was my boss, my colleague,
my dearest friend.
We shared our woes of so many things
relationships, partners and our children, too.
Oh how he was such an amazing dad!
And what a cook he was …a great chef!
feeding his daughter’s umpteen pals
he was the most fabulous dad of them all!
And then he left this plane for good.
My only true consolation is that
someday I will meet them all in that
other dimension…up there or around here;
my family awaits too also near.
We’ll have a bash, a pint of beer!
when my time comes they’ll all be here.
For friendships past and present too,
I’m blessed, I’m rich, and thank all of you.
© Cheryl-Lynn Roberts, originally written on November 3, 2013
Tournesol dans un Jardin 