Posted by Rachel (216.46.198.68) on January 20, 2002 at 10:33:39:
The better part of one's life consists of his friendships. - Abraham Lincoln
Webster's defines friendship as: someone on terms of affection and regard for another who is neither relative or lover / someone who freely supports and helps out of good will.
Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times..."
In a poem written by J.W. Riley he says:
Friend of a wayward hour, you came
Like some good ghost, and went the same;
And I within the haunted place
Sit smiling at your vanished face,
And talking with - your name.
But thrice the pressure of your hand -
First hail - congratulations - and
Your last "God bless you!" as the train
That brought you snatched you back again
Into the unknown land.
"God bless me?" Why, your very prayer
Was answered ere you asked it there,
I know - for when you came to lend
Me your kind hand, and call me friend,
God blessed me unaware.
My thoughts went this way today. I was thinking how I don't know all of you as I would friends that surround me everyday and yet friendship comes in many packages and the ability - through technology - has allowed me to come in and be a part of your lives. You, in turn, have blessed me with your kindness, thoughts, and friendship. Sometimes I go for a long while and don't return the thanks that I should. So, today I am, and I especially thank D.J. for the way he shows his friendship to all of you - through his constant care and attention to this board and to each one who reads this board - member or not.
I hope you all have a good day. One filled with joy (not pain), love (not anger), peace (not worry), hope (not despair). God bless and keep you in His care!
-Rachel