YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND

HOW DOES A GOOD FRIEND MAKE YOU FEEL? WRITES ARLENE SPENCER

A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate to attend a James Taylor concert in London, ON. He played all his famous hits that included; Sweet Baby James, Fire and Rain and Going to Carolina but one song he sang that keeps playing in my head is, You Got a Friend.

He sang it with such emotion that I actually felt like he was singing it only to me.

How does a good friend make you feel?

Does your friend support you, encourage your ideas or offer genuine compliments?

We all have people in our lives that we call friends, but do we have that one friend who brightens our darkest days, keeps coming back even when you tell her you're okay, or drags you out the door because she knows a good walk and talk is what you need.

I am fortunate to be blessed with one of the truest friends in the world. She is brutally honest, more fun than a barrel of monkeys, works hard and plays hard.

One of the toughest times in my life was the tragic death of my sister. For the first year after her passing, I wasn't much fun.

I was sad, lonely and even bitter, but my friend kept coming to see me, long after the others had scattered. She shared my burden when it was too heavy for me to carry solo.

You see a true friend is one who still shows up through good times and bad. She brings with her a box of Kleenex and the hope that tomorrow will be better.

So thank you my best friend for not giving up on me.

My only wish is that I will never have to repay my debt to you in the same way you helped strengthen me.

"Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was like without them." (spiritbutton.com).