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