HIGH PLANE OF FRIENDSHIP

My friends live within my heart.
They are always there.
Each has her own domicile
No one can evict her
I am entertained by their thoughts
Sometimes they like each other
Sometimes they don’t.
They always like me
I am their "only" friend as
They are My "only" best friend
I am to be the lynch -- pin
That brings them to the High Plane
          Of Friendship.

They have certainly taught me how to get there.
I have a friend who is not too generous
Well, not by our estimation, anyway
So, I try to get her involved in my giving projects.
Each time she refuse.  Remember:
She has her own charities and projects.
One day I understood that real sinner was me
"Why?"  You may say.
Each time I would Invite her to join me
She refused with justifications,
I realized that before God and man
I was bringing her to the point of judgment
Causing her to fail. This had to stop!
I was causing my friend to sin.
She was all that she could be and
all that she may ever be.
Her other character balanced out.
She may never pass my test.
She, however, brought me to the High Plane
                       Of Friendship

Another friend so generous
Who appreciated being taught to read and write
She said I also showed her how to dress
Around the house, that is, however,
She was unmatched in public.
It was my pleasure to see her catch up with life.
She would call and say:  “We have some money
In the house and you are welcome to share it
Just replace it when you are able. 
That way, we won’t be broke.”
For this, I had no reference in my life
I thought that I was kind.
But I will never make such a phone call.
Nor would I ever destroy her trust.
She brought me to the High Plane
                             Of Friendship

I was twenty- nine when I met this friend.
She called me sister.
I was her child standing in for her never-to-be-born
She was then,the same as my age today.
I visited her about once a week
Walking across town with my babies.
Calling my name, she told me:
"I will not outlive my wealth. 
You are precious to me.
If you continue to visit me,
I leave to you every thing I own.”
Stunned, I went home and never visited again.
I didn't discuss it with either my husband or friend
I "pondered it in my heart, like Mary"
I was afraid of my motives now for visiting her
Today, I am older, I see I was over-righteous.
I punished a friend who loved and enjoyed us.
I short-ended my children’s inheritance
When she died, greedy relative got the fortune,
I realized that she had opened to me the High Plane
                           Of Friendship

My friend has been there all my life
I can call her any time of day
She may be late;
But I know she Is on her way
She brings to my table the best.
Let me tell you a little story:
My father needed twelve hundred dollars
To transfer to a new nursing facility
We only had a day
She said:  “I do not have that kind of money.
Let’s call twelve friends and ask for a hundred.”
This was at 4 a.m.; At 7 a.m.,
I was paying the money and signing documents.
She keeps me on the High Plane
Of Friendship

Finally, for this writing, is the friend
Who has come to me in Senectitude (old age)
She listens to my Poetry and other ramblings
She knows more than me about downloads and burns
Once a week we get together for mutual exchange
We write letters to people interested in the Bible.
If there is a misunderstanding
We stay at it until it is settled with love
We don’t re-hash faults.
These are tough times
We apologize, comprise, and solve and resolve.
She offers sweet comfort to an old lady
She buys me dark chocolates and M&Ms.
She treats me as her contemporary.
She and the others are gifts from God
My friends keep me on the High Plane
                   Of Friendship

Created: October 8, 2010
by Earthene Fleming