Three-sixteenths, now of a life
Can be viewed as a very small portion.
These three past years, however, to me
Have been my life's second greatest fortune.
Meeting you was a blessing from the world,
A blessing from life, a blessing from God!
Rarely is friendship distributed so freely,
But somehow you managed to give me an abundance
And have filled my heart's every beating pod.
Thank you for being my teacher of life
And for giving me the most valuable lessons,
For teaching me what it means to live for God
And to approach life with an ever-gentle passion.
There has been many a time
That without you even knowing
You have stepped in and given me a new start.
Your ever ray of sunshine
Shined through my hardened darkness
And brought back into the ever-shining light.
Now on this day so sweet for you
I pray that our friendship will never subdue.
Time will pass, things will happen
Still I'm confident that our special bond
Will never give way to a world so eager to pull us apart.
At this time the future is uncertain
And the thought of leaving to a place without you
Beckons my soul whenever I think of it.
With God by my side, I know I will never be lonely
In the literal sense of the word.
I hope and pray and pray all the more
That our special and unique friendship
Will never come to an end.
Thank you Astin,
For being my friend.
-a friend is one who knows you as you are, understands where you've been, accepts who you've become and still, gently invites you to grow. -unknown
Dedicated to Astin Rae Salisbury on her 16th Birthday, January 26, 2001.
Copyright 2003 By Alvin Shaul
Back List Next Home