Our Friend Who's Gone Away
                                                               

                    We really didn't have her long - Our friend whose gone away.
                      And if things could be different I confess I'd have her stay
                       With us and bless us with her friendship and her smile,
                          She grew so very dear to us in such a little while.

                     Now we all are lonesome - Each heart has an empty space-
                     That wants to feel her hand again and see her smiling face -
                     And hear her speak so gently, and just be with us each day.
                  We miss her and we're grieving for - Our Friend whose gone away.

                        But I am very thankful -There is peace within my soul -
                    For I know she's with Jesus - I know He has made her whole.
                    And I know too I'll see her when He calls me from this place,
                       And when I go to live with Him - I know I'll see her face.

                     So as I write these words and I remember our Dear Friend.
                       I am thankful that He loaned her to us at the very end.
                             How precious are His thoughts toward us -
                                    How wondrous are His ways -
                       He sent us such a lovely soul to bless and fill our days.
                                         m.garren orig. �3-29-95

           FRIENDSHIP'S TAPESTRY
                                                               

                      So often when I think of you and all the times we shared
                    My heart is filled with thankfulness to have a friend who cared
                             enough to listen to me tell of joys and trials.
                 You're being there has been enough to change my tears to smiles.

                      The subtle love between two friends is so hard to define.
                          It is not a square or circle or even a straight line.
                        It's somehow like a tapestry with colors soft and bold
                      yet deep within the weaving there are tiny threads of gold.

                   Yes, rare and oh so lovely are your friendships' threads of gold
                      For they will last a lifetime and then when my story's told
                     Someone will hold my tapestry and turn it towards the light
                 and tiny points, those threads of gold will gleam and shine so bright.
                   And they may think - it's just a thread like green or red or blue-
                     Perhaps they'll never ever know that golden thread was you.

                   But I've been thinking lately how you've touched my life just so -
                      Of how you are so dear to me - and I wanted you to know-
                      That even if you're next to me or though we're miles apart
                   Your golden thread of friendship still will weave within my heart.
                                  m.garren �6-15-1988 revised �5-23-95