Of Family, Friends, and Butterflies

To have a friend, be a friend

Your lovely words made me think,
why is the word Friend so unique and distinct?
Family is the net that catches you when you fall.
They HAVE to,
they share your DNA after all.

But friends are more like butterflies
unexpected joys that brighten eyes
always a surprise
when they befriend you by choice,
not family ties.

It’s not because they MUST,
but because friendship comes
from the heart, freely given,
a priceless gift, shared and cared for
by two who happen to occupy the
same time and space.

A spark shifts us from acquaintance to friend.
It is rare, but can happen again and again.
Life lacking family is like a chair without a seat –
sitting down just does not feel complete.
But life without friends, would be bleak, you know.
Life without friends is like
a room without a window.
Through that window we see the world as life swirls by.

Butterflies, blue and black skies,
suns rise and suns set on the horizon,
good times, bad times, memories shared
not because of family tree,
but usually with a friend who cared.

Friends are there to share that view.
You meet and make them (if you are so lucky),
wherever you are,
friends are there too,
just finding them is up to you.

And though the care and feeding of friends
may become sloppy as one moves away,
or loses their way in work or play,
friends stay dear if despite not being near –
they still “get you”, “forgive you”,
and befriend who you are.

Reunions bring joy,
lost times revert back to start,
a friend is forever,
when friendship’s gift
comes truly from the heart.