THE NEED FOR A FRIEND
It was a lucky star that caused us to meet,
That put your home next to mine on Chestnut Street
Where we can see one another every day
And pause in our work when we have something to say.
When things go wrong and I feel blue,
All that I need is a good talk with you.
My innermost thoughts with you I can share;
I know that you understand and you always care.
God planted in each heart the need for a friend,
A hunger for companionship until life's end.
One of the greatest blessings that God ever sends
Is when He helps us to find the right kind of friends.
DEAR DEPENDABLE MARY
She was a friend who understood me
When I was silly sixteen,
Who still loved me when I was sixty
And all of the years in between.
She's a friend who has shared my laughter,
My heartaches, and even my tears.
She has given me courage and fortitude
And been a blessing to me through the years.
There are other friends who love me,
Although their ardor may sometimes vary.
She even forgives when I make mistakes;
She is dear, dependable Mary.
I wish I could keep Mary here with me,
For her heart is attune with mine;
But her home is so very far away
That I can't have her all the time.
I must be content just knowing she's there,
And love her by remote control;
Knowing I have a friend, wherever she is,
Who is truly a kindred soul.
THE FLOWER GARDEN LADY
Bright blossoms are blooming row upon row
While a sweet little lady out there with her hoe
Weeds them and tends them and trains them just so.
She never seems to tire of the work they require
And sings a sweet song that the blossoms inspire.
I look out in the garden and wonder which is more fair
The beautiful flowers that are blossoming there
Or the little old lady with the snow-white hair.
She walks slowly along caressing each bloom
And softly sings to herself a melodious tune.
The sweet lady goes walking at the close of each day
To admire her flowers in the sun's last ray,
Softly singing a hymn her thanksgiving to say.
To walk among flowers is an inspiration says she;
And the dear, precious lady is an inspiration to me.
The fragrance of flowers filling the air,
The sweet lady who gave them such tender care,
And the hymns she sang while working there-
These are beautiful memories unlike any other
For the flower garden lady is my own mother.
FRIENDS IN KANSAS
I left many friends in Kansas;
It seemed my heart was left behind
When I moved away from Kansas
To seek a warmer clime.
But the memories so dear and sweet
I cherish more and more
As in fancy I can live again
Those precious days of yore.
My fond memories of Kansas
Are sweet beyond compare;
Some of the finest folk I've ever known
Are the ones who still live there.
I owe a debt of gratitude
That I can never quite repay
For the times they've helped to brighten
Many a would-be dreary day.
I often yearn for Kansas
Where I still have many friends.
They are in my thoughts of evenings
When my daily schedule ends.
I have a yearning that is burning
To see those scenes once more;
I wish to step upon the porch again
And walk through the kitchen door.
If I could be in Kansas
(at least for just a day)
To see again those faithful friends.
I knew e'er I moved away,
It would set my heart to singing
Like the birds sing in the spring;
There would be the joy bells ringing
And I'd feel content with everything.
THE HOME TOWN
If I search the wide world over
For a home with quiet rest
When growing old and needing friends
I'd find the home town is the best.
Where everybody knows me
And friendships are sincere,
I am very glad that I came back,
I'm glad I now live here.
In every business place in town
It always is the same.
As soon as I have stepped inside,
Folks call me by my name.
Friends greet me with a handshake
Like I'm a long lost brother.
A firm handclasp is eloquent
Where there's love for one another.
TO MARGARET
I have never ceased to love you
Since we were girls in our teens.
The passing of years are unnoticed
To those with common dreams.
On the day that I first met you
Your soul was knit to mine
As if it were intended that we be friends
For the very beginning of time.
Something deep down within me
Responds to a person like you.
Although I do have many friends,
The close ones are but few.
I still love you though the years pass by,
And we live many miles apart.
I know very well that you hold me
Enshrined within your heart.
I PRAY FOR YOU
There is never a day but I think of you
And feel an urge to pray;
But when I hold you up to God in prayer,
I know not the words to say.
I feel very certain you have need for prayer
And I must do my part
E'en though I do not know what to pray for,
Not knowing the thoughts of your heart.
So I pray that the Father will bless you
With whatever you really need,
That He will send you what He knows is best;
For this I sincerely plead.
We know God looks into each human heart;
He understands and He cares.
To ask Him for the blessing we truly need
Is the ultimate in perfect prayers.
BETTY
The most beautiful name I have ever known
I am certain means "loyal and true."
There is no other like it; it stands alone
And is the most suitable name for you.
I've met many another who carried that name
And found each one a jewel rare.
It never fails. It is always the same
When that magical name they share.
Those with the name "Betty" seem extra endowed
With the qualities which merit our praise.
A room full of "Bettys" would be a good crowd
Of women with lovable ways.
YOUR TALENT
You say that you have no talent,
But I beg to disagree.
You have a most wonderful talent:
You always understand me!
When I try to explain my feelings,
My words come out the wrong way.
Yet you comprehend my meaning;
You know what I'm trying to say.
You do me more good than a tonic;
When I am feeling low
And all others question my motives,
You will not doubt me I know.
Don't say that you have no talents:
You have made my dark world bright.
It makes any day a red-letter day
To know someone has heard me aright.
TO FRIENDS ON A FARM
I've been visiting with friends who live on a farm
Out where there is plenty of room.
That rural area has a magnetic charm;
I regretted to leave so soon.
Busy and active are those folks on the farm,
Yet there is a peaceful quiet sublime.
There is time for friendships to be truly warm.
It's the busy people who find the most time.
Fortunate, indeed, are those on a farm
Out where there is room to grow,
Where hearts grow big and souls reach up,
And God sends extra blessings I know.
MY NEIGHBOR
I have a friendly neighbor
Who lives next door to me.
Her nearness is a blessing
For we are as alike as we can be.
We enjoy the same amusements
And the same hobbies every year.
We never feel we are alone
When each has the other near.
We have a fence between us.
It was built right on the line
To mark the official boundary
Between her yard and mine.
But no fence can separate us,
For friendship finds a way.
We made a gate to open wide
And we go in and out each day.
TO A BELOVED FRIEND
You had become my dearest friend,
And when you moved away
I was in despair. I mourned my loss,
For I missed seeing you each day.
New neighbors live where you once lived.
I've learned to love them too;
So I now have these friends next door
And I also still have you.
I have come to know it is better so;
We gain more friends every year.
While all the friends of former days,
Are just as sweet and dear.
As the years go by, friends multiply,
Increasing more and more.
There will be more friends for me to greet
When I reach that other shore.
TO EDNA
When you saw I had a need to feel needed,
You gave me something to do.
Yours is a rare gift of understanding;
Few persons are equal to you.
The stones in my path were a hazard.
They were continually bruising my feet.
Your friendship anointed the bruises
Like an ointment precious and sweet.
The clouds in my sky were threatening,
I needed shelter away from the storm.
You opened your heart with kindness
And suddenly I felt warm!
A MOTHERLY HEART
That mother down there at the Children's Home
Knows how to love children who are not her own.
It is like a talent, precious and rare,
A love for children that is beyond compare.
There are such mothers who love in truth
And feel a concern for all the youth-
The neighbors' children, her own children's friends.
Her love for children just never ends.
She feels a compulsion to love each one
And to show a concern as though each were her son.
It is her nature. It is more than an art
When a woman is endowed with a motherly heart.
TO FRIENDS IN HATCH VALLEY
When I was left alone, bereaved and sad,
And I needed to find a new home,
I chose a small town on the Rio Grande
To build me a place of my own.
In the valley of Hatch I have settled down
In the most friendly town that I know.
I've discovered the city of "brotherly love"
Is in southwestern New Mexico.
Friends go out of their way to be helpful,
To be understanding and kind.
The Biblical command to love others
Seems paramount to everyone's mind.
THE NINTH GRADE GIRLS
When I moved here to this new home,
I wished for friends to call my own.
The Widows' Club offered to answer my quest,
And the Senior Citizens invited me as a guest.
The Extension Club I was asked to try,
But none of these seemed to satisfy.
Where can I find some teen-aged girls?
A superb idea suddenly came to me-
I'll invite some girls to my home for tea.
The school girls came and were so sweet
The next year I decided the plan to repeat.
It became a tradition, for as long as I live,
A tea for the Freshmen girls I will give.
Hurrah for the ninth-grade girls!
These high school girls are my friends in truth;
If I live long enough, they may restore my youth.
They've given me something to look forward to-
Something extra special that is fun to do.
The girls always thank me for giving the tea,
But I feel the "Thank Yous" should come from me.
A thousand thanks to the ninth-grade girls!
IN MEMORIAM
(To Jovita Allen)
"I was a stranger and you took me in."
You took me into your heart.
In loving kindness you reached out to me
And made me feel that I was a part-
A part of the church and the community,
That feeling of being "at home."
I was no longer a stranger in an unknown town.
I was no longer completely alone.
The world is hungry for compassionate souls.
We need such persons as you.
But God in His wisdom called you Home,
Leaving unfinished tasks we must do.
The Christian concern you had for all
(And the splendid example you set)
Was like a shining light in a selfish world.
A light we will not soon forget.
THE SWEET LITTLE LADY
When first I moved to a new little town
I met friendly people from all around
Who advised, "You will find it so
You meet kind folk here wherever you go,
And there is a special one you really must meet,
A sweet little lady on Wilson Street."
From their apt descriptions she was easy to spy,
Her radiant smile quickly caught my eye.
A more cheerful face I never did see,
I knew in an instant it must be she.
Her hair was done up in a coiffure so neat;
It was the sweet little lady from Wilson Street.
I soon got to know her and to love her too.
I found her charming, considerate, loyal, and true.
No name is e'er mentioned but she says a good word,
Her voice in criticism can never be heard.
Her love for others is full and complete.
This sweet little lady on Wilson Street.
A woman of numerous talents is she.
A more capable hostess we seldom will see.
She is also an artist and loves her art.
The pictures she paints, their own story impart.
Her work-room is her quiet retreat,
The sweet little lady on Wilson Street.
My heart leaps for joy when she comes to call;
Her very presence is a blessing to all.
A bit of her personality she leaves everywhere,
Like the aroma of roses filling the air.
I have no adequate words for a description complete
Of the sweet little lady on Wilson Street.
THE ELDERLY COUPLE
The elderly couple across the way
Are admired by all who see them each day.
Whatever is his interest is her interest, too.
Each takes pride in what the other can do.
For sixty-six years they've been happily wed;
That they love one another doesn't need to be said.
A more devoted couple we aren't likely to meet;
Their concern for each other is truly sweet.
It is pleasant to see couples who are loyal and true,
Who work together at whatever they do.
Our nation's need is for such as they-
That elderly couple across the way.
ESTHER
To a precious friend who is loyal and true,
You are my ray of sunshine when skies are blue.
Whatever I say, you understand;
When I am confused, you give me a hand.
At my foolish mistakes you help me to laugh;
You sift out the wheat from among the chaff.
You encourage me to be my best
And help me in trials to stand the test.
I am a better person because of you.
You've helped me to start my life anew.
You've given me cause to rejoice each day
With hope and courage to go on my way.
Your friendship is like a rose so rare,
I feel contentment because you are there.
I had in my heart a big empty place;
In your own way you filled the space.
You are my special friend, sincere and true.
I am thankful to God that I have you.
CHEERFULNESS IS CONTAGIOUS
When I heard about your accident
And that you were down in bed,
I went at once to try to cheer you,
But you cheered me instead.
You bear it all so bravely,
The frustration and the pain;
It did me good to talk with you.
I shall call on you again.
Your cheery voice I love to hear,
And your bright smile I love to see.
You are just what the doctor ordered
As the best medicine for me.
TO VIOLA WHITE
I had allowed myself to grow careless,
To neglect using this talent of mine.
Although I know that if I do not practice
It will grow dormant and rusty with time.
It was then that you came, and I loved you.
I felt a desire to be helpful to you,
Using my talent to do what I could
At whatever you asked me to do.
You have given me new inspiration;
You encouraged me to get back to work,
At my God-given duties to keep busy.
I know I must no longer shirk.
I owe you a debt of gratitude
That is much more than I can ever repay.
But I know God Himself will reward
you On that last final Reckoning Day.
A HELPFUL NEIGHBOR
I have an understanding neighbor
Who lives next door to me.
She shares my griefs and shares my joys
With equal sympathy.
But since an illness has befallen her
She can no longer walk about.
Her welcomed presence in my home
I must learn to do without.
She helps me more than ever now,
For she has more time to pray.
She holds me up to God in prayer;
She intercedes for me each day.
My burdens have grown lighter,
My pathway is more clear
Because my neighbor prays for me
And I feel God's presence near.
MY ERRAND BOY
Thank you for running my errands,
For being helpful and kind.
Thank you for willingly giving to me
The precious gift of your time.
Thank you for being dependable,
For stopping by every day
To ask if there is a letter to mail
Or something I wish to say.
Your courtesy reflects the good training
Of parents who truly love you,
Who wish you to always be happy
And to be a good citizen too.
YOUR FAITH IS AN INSPIRATION
God knows that you will be very brave;
He knows He can always depend on you,
That even when sorrow and suffering strike
Your Christian character will show through.
The God who searches all human hearts
Knows how much each one can bear.
He knows you continue to look to Him
And trust Him your burdens to share.
Your faith is a real inspiration
To others along life's weary road.
The courage you show when in sorrow
Help others to bear their heavy load.
God knows you will set an example
For others who will follow your way,
As you look to the Lord for comfort
And trust Him for strength every day.
THE LIBRARY LADY
When I come to the library to find me a book
She is never too busy to help me look.
Whether I check it out to take to my home
Or just wish to read a bit, here all alone,
The library lady is gracious and kind!
I like to come here for a quiet retreat
Away from the hustle and noise of the street.
There is always some book I've been wanting to read
Or maybe some new information I need
From the library lady who is gracious and kind!
The library lady is a good friend of mine,
She will do me a favor most any time.
Not only in the library, but wherever we meet
She is ever eager to be helpful and sweet,
For the library lady is gracious and kind!
Is it due to her working with books each day
That makes her be thoughtful in every way?
The real reason she is kind wherever she goes
Is that she's a true Christian and her character shows.
The library lady is gracious and kind!
FOR NEWLYWEDS
When you two have quarreled
and everything has gone wrong;
When in your heart
there is no longer a song.
Turn to the Bible,
find a Psalm to read.
Words that seem written
just to fill your need.
Read the Psalm together
as your heart's deep prayer.
The reading of God's word
is a thing to share.
As you both lift your hearts
to the Father above,
You will find you've become
more deeply in love.
This is a time-tested recipe
and it cannot fail,
For the love of God
will always prevail.