You've been there--

You understand.

You try and understand.

cry with me, rejoice with me.

and because of that we are strong when we're apart.

My friendship is a book that you can read.
You read it all with eagerness,
you hold me so tenderly in you hands,
turning every page with such care.
You don't hide me up in a far away shelf,
You don't let the dust gather.
You set me out so others can see you are proud
to have me in your collection.
You let the pages fall however they will,
we find out together how the story unfolds.
There is no price that could be put on this-
our relationship.

Surrounded by friends,
so many good friends!
You know my struggles and triumphs.
You've been there with me.
Feeling my pain, holding me up.
Like an oxygen tank for a deep sea diver,
I needed you and you came through.
Midnight calls... you listened to me weep,
shout obscenities and cry out to God-- "why?!"
You held me in you arms when I thought I had no one to hold me.
You were my life line.
You took care of my kids,
brought me food and lifted me up in prayer.
I'm so glad God put you in my life--
I only hope I can be as much a blessing to you as you have been to me.