Tracy: There’s so much to say so I’ll just begin
with, “When I was a stranger and you took me in.”
Just a regular thing it appeared from a glance
You were hardly aware you were taking a chance
On one who was broken, bewildered, and battered
Whose faith and assurance were trampled and shattered.
There were no red alerts as to what could ensue
In God’s plan to provide such a dear friend in you!
You took time to train and to show how it’s done
Your love and involvement just made it more fun!
And those times my distress almost reached overwhelm
I knew things would be fine with you at the helm.
Unexpected disruptions? Then your input was sought
Seemed nothing fazed you ‘round the shared coffee pot.
You made yourself available whenever I was blue
Making it so clear that I had found a friend in you!
There is a way about you that makes everything seem sunny
Warms my heart to hear you laugh with my attempts at ‘funny.’
Your compassion and encouragement, your tenderness in dealing
Became the salve that carried me on my way to healing
As time did march on and months turned to seasons
We learned to know and to trust for more and more reasons
The hearts of each other, as confidence grew
For God had enlisted a strong friend in you!
We made a great team with bright thoughts to keep going
As time to retire loomed as seeds we were sowing
There were plans in our heads and dreams for the day
When we’d hang up our scrubs to spend more time in play
Gardening, mountain driving, traveling far and wide
Enjoying all God’s handiwork with loved ones at our sides.
Yes, with unspoken certainty and a full heart I knew
That God in His wisdom gave a sweet friend in you!
So much living and working as we shared our stories
Our hopes and our dreams, our heartaches and worries.
Then Covid hit hard. Changed the world all around us
Whipped so much about to confuse and confound us
And things that were clear became muddled at best
While all well-laid plans were put to the test.
As demands multiplied and our weariness grew
I thanked God that He gave me a wise friend in you!
I’m so glad our paths crossed but I’m sad they must part
My head understands, but still not my heart
Yet reality says time has come for your leaving
Till I fully embrace this, please pardon my grieving.
Somewhere down the road we’ll see God’s plan in place
As His hope in your future does fill you with grace
And because of His plans to heal and renew
I will always and forever have a true friend in you!Written July 2020
Copyright © 2021 by Terri Art