Because you are my friend, when life's issues or stark reality seem too much for your to bear, my gift to you will be an open ear, solace and complete understanding. We will talk long into the night while the whole world sleeps...laugh at each other's silly or ludicrous mistakes, spin romantic dreams and share plans for grand adventures.

Because you are my friend, if you are living your life in a negative way...making decisions and choices that will harm you in body, mind or spirit, I will pull you aside and quietly tell you that I am greatly concerned about your health and welfare. I promise never to publically criticize you or shame you in any way. I will always tell you the truth in no uncertain terms, no matter how painful it will be to you or to me.

"A friend is someone who will tell you the truth when no one else has the courage."

Because you are my friend, I will always be respectful of your boundaries, seldom intrude or interfere in any of your personal affairs unless you specifically ask for my advice, my opinion, or my intervention.

Because you are my friend, if you are making a clown out of yourself in public, instead of being embarrassed by your antics or pretending I don't know you, I will grab a lampshade, place it on my head, take your hand in mine, and do my best to make the crowd think we are a comedy act. I will always protect you!!

Because you are my friend, I will not rescue you from financial ruin, bale you out of personal or relational messes that maybe caused by your own childish folly or procrastination. I will not pamper you, spoil you or help make you lazy, feeble or helpless. I will not do anything for you that you can do for yourself. However... I will give you the gift of helping you to help yourself.

Because you are my friend, I will share with you what little wisdom and knowledge I have, my intellectual, professional and spiritual resources, all of the physical and psychic energy I can muster and all the elbow grease you need. Together you and I will plan carefully, work diligently day and night, side by side putting our heads together to solve your (our) problems.

Because you are my friend, I will never leave you.... even when you canno longer hear my voice whispering in your ear. It is my hope that my love, caring words and the pleasurable moments we shared will resonate within your heart and mind forever. I promise you, the encouraging terms of endearment you used to lift my spirits and give me self confidence will forever be etched upon my heart. Even when I am gone, when you feel a warm tickle in your heart...that is me saying...I miss my friend.

Because you are my friend, I have made it my goal to see that you continue to grow in character and prosper in spirit for as long as you remain my "earthbound friends and angels."

Because you are my friend, you helped me see that my wealth was not monetary, that my true richness came in having been truly loved by my children, my family and friends. You taught me how to dream again, to hope, to believe in myself and other people and to never give up... to fight for what I want, need and deem sufficiently important.

Because you are my friend, you taught me to look at the world through the eyes of a child again...to take pleasure in the small and simple things in life. to use my lint brush as a microphone and sing "Oh Happy Days" at the top of my lungs and with complete abandon.

Because you are my friend, when I finally leave this dimension, (life) I will leave in quiet peace, knowing that I grew to know the true meaning of love and friendship as a result of having been loved by friends like you.

"Escribe te quero en tu corizon!"

Inscribe, I love you upon your heart!

- Rich Cooper

copyright - One Silent Warrior

Soft Pink Pajamas