A friend is someone who likes you
It can be a boy
It can be a girl
or a cat …
or a dog …
or even a white mouse
…
A brook can be a friend in a special way.
It talks to you with splashy gurgles.
It cools your toes and lets you sit
quietly beside it when you don’t feel
like speaking.
…
Sometime you don’t know who
are your friends.
Sometimes they are there all the time,
but you walk right past them
and don’t notice that they like you in a special way.
And then you think you don’t have any friends.
Then you must stop hurrying and rushing so fast
…
Sometimes you have to find your friend
… everyone … everyone in the whole world
has at least one friend.
Where did you find yours?
When I was in the 6th grade my friend Susan gave me this book for my birthday. That is a photo of that very book; kept all these years as the constant reminder that we never have to walk life alone. I have found Joan Walsh Anglund's words to be so true. Friends come and go depending on the season of your life.
Friends are the ones who see us through relationship blunders. Have you ever had one of those? In those come and go seasons of friendships there is a constant. Someone is there for you, being supportive and encouraging. Those are the friend who will tell you exactly what is on their mind, they are the friends you can truly trust.
In this season of Parkinson's it is my siblings who are my best and most supportive friends. They GET IT. They are there with support, not only on our good days, but when I am scared of the future. My church family steps in as well; overflowing with care and support. How people walk this walk alone is beyond me. Knowing we have support for our moments of joy as well as the inevitable failings (and everything in between) is the only way I can wake to each day. Knowing that each day will include some combination of kindness, sympathy, empathy, compassion, common interests, common beliefs, loyalty, and fun is a gift.
Joan Walsh Anglund has been 'my friend' since 6th grade, reminding me that friends abound if only I look around. No one has to walk alone.