Subject: The Friend Who Stands By
Date: Fri, Sep 14 2001 00:00:08 -0400

Thanks to Ruth Middleton for this lovely poem, and thanks to all *my* friends who have stood by me these past 15 months...

"The Friend Who Stands By"

When troubles come your soul to try
You love the friend who just stands by.
Perhaps there's nothing he or she can do
The thing is strictly up to you.

For there are troubles all your own
And paths the soul must tread alone.
Times when love can't smooth the road
Nor friendship lift the heavy load.

But just to feel you have a friend
Who will stand by until the end.
Whose sympathy through all endures
Whose warm handclasp is always yours.

It helps somehow to pull you through
Although there's nothing he or she can do.
And so with fervent heart we cry...
God Bless the friend who just stands by.

--Author Unknown