Grateful

For friends who talk you back off the ledge

who calmly refuse to feed the fire that you stoke within yourself,

who remind you that God’s plan beats whatever turmoil you

are going through at any given moment, manmade or otherwise;

friends who bring a perspective that throws all into focus,

and you suddenly find your North again,

your center reappears and you begin to swim towards it.

For friends who take the time to listen to your sobs,

with or without wine in hand,

even when you are whining,

friends who hold you up when all the strength from your

core is gone and nobody else can see this but you,

but these friends hold you up, pray for and with you,

listen to you, coax you back from the spiral’s edge,

and,

at the end,

love you.

When all you need is love.