A Piece of My Mind

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.