Your gift of friendship

What a precious gift
is your friendship
held out in open hands
patience is there
to see me through hardships
through all my emotional downs
understanding is given
in times of laughter
and times of tears
warmth surrounds me
when I feeling
lost and alone and cold
silence is shared
when we cannot
be bothered by words
substance is there
to fill the hungry need of me
expectations too
to bring out the best
I can possibly give
freedom is offered
so I never feel smothered
by you... my friend
acceptance you give
leaving me to be myself
comfortable with you
as your true self
and love is there too
always in your outstretched hand
and this I pray
will always be
that I can return to you
these gifts you give to me

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