When
Years ago, when I was walking through a valley of the shadow of death, my best friend, my wife Patricia, was a friend to me like no one has ever been a friend to me in my life. When I emerged from the valley, I wrote a piece of my heart to her I entitled “When.”
Today is her birthday. In honor of her, I share with you what she means to me.
WHEN
When I hurt so badly all I could do was cry
You provided a shoulder
When the pain was so great all I could do was groan
You held me like a Mother holds a hurt child
When I didn’t understand myself
You understood me
When I didn’t believe in myself anymore
You believed in me
When I didn’t have any more hope
You gave me hope
When I wanted to talk
You listened
When I felt like doing something I shouldn’t
You tried to stop me
When I dared to dream
You applauded me
When my family and friends abandon me
You were a near and dear friend
When everyone was so angry with me, I couldn’t do anything right
You loved me no matter what I did
Thanks, my friend, for being there for me
Patricia is the best example of what it means to be a friend I have ever seen. I have experienced it firsthand and I have watched her be a friend to others. What I have said in “When” is the best I can do at expressing what that is like.
My prayer is that I can be a friend like that.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 5/4/2002
Today is her birthday. In honor of her, I share with you what she means to me.
WHEN
When I hurt so badly all I could do was cry
You provided a shoulder
When the pain was so great all I could do was groan
You held me like a Mother holds a hurt child
When I didn’t understand myself
You understood me
When I didn’t believe in myself anymore
You believed in me
When I didn’t have any more hope
You gave me hope
When I wanted to talk
You listened
When I felt like doing something I shouldn’t
You tried to stop me
When I dared to dream
You applauded me
When my family and friends abandon me
You were a near and dear friend
When everyone was so angry with me, I couldn’t do anything right
You loved me no matter what I did
Thanks, my friend, for being there for me
Patricia is the best example of what it means to be a friend I have ever seen. I have experienced it firsthand and I have watched her be a friend to others. What I have said in “When” is the best I can do at expressing what that is like.
My prayer is that I can be a friend like that.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 5/4/2002