Life ! I know not what thou art,
But know that thou and I must part;
And when, or how, or where we met
I own to me's a secret yet. Life ! we've been long together,
Through pleasant and through cloudy weather,
'Tis hard to part when friends are dear -
Perhaps 'twill cost a sigh, a tear ; Then steal away, give little warning
Choose thine own time ;
Say not good night - but in some brighter chime
Bid me good morning
Anna Letitia Barbauld

The Roses Red upon my neighbor's vine
Are owned by him, but they are also mine
His was the cost, and his labor, too,
But mine as well as his the joy,
their loveliness to view.
 
They bloom for me and are for me as fair
As for the man who gives them all his care
Thus I am rich, because a good man grew
A rose-clad vine for all his neighbor's view.
 
I know from this that others plant for me
And what they own, my joy may also be
So why be selfish, when so much that's fine
Is grown for you, upon your neighbor's vine
Abraham L  Gruber

Drop a pebble in the water; just a splash, and it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on ,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.
 
Drop a pebble in the water; in a minute you forget,
But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet
And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown;
You've disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.
 
Drop an unkind word, or careless in a minute it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.
They keep spreading, spreading, spreading  from the center as they go,
And there is no way to stop them, once you've started them to flow.
 
Drop an unkind word, or careless : in a minute you forget;
But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,
And perhaps in some sad heart a  mighty wave of tears you've stirred,
And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word
 
Drop a word of cheer and kindness; just a flash and it is gone;
But there's half-a -hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Beaming hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave
Till you wouldn't believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.
 
Drop a word of cheer and kindness in a minute you forget;
But there's gladness still a-swelling and there's joy a -circling yet,
And you've rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.

James W Foley

Sometimes in life,
you find a special friend;
Someone who changes your life
just by being part of it.
Someone who makes you laugh 
until you can't stop;
Someone who makes you believe
that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you 
that there really is an unlocked door
just waiting for you to open it.
This is Forever Friendship.
 
When you're down,
and the world seems dark and empty,

Your forever friend lifts you up in spirit
and makes that dark and empty world
suddenly seem bright and full.
Your forever friend gets you through
the hard times, the sad times,
and the confused times.
If you turn and walk away,
your forever friend follows.
 
If you lose your way,
your forever friend guides you
and cheers you on.
Your forever friend holds your hand
and tells you that 
everything is going to be okay.
 
And if you find such a friend,
you feel happy and complete,
because you need not worry.
You have a forever friend for life,
and forever has no end.

Standing for what you believe in,
Regardless of the odds against you,
and the pressure that tears at your resistance,
... means courage.

Keeping a smile on your face,
When inside you feel like dying,
For the sake of supporting others,
... means strength.
 
Stopping at nothing,
And doing what's in your heart,
You know is right,
... means determination.
 
Doing more than is expected,
To make another's life a little more bearable,
Without uttering a single complaint,
... means compassion.
 
Helping a friend in need,
No matter the time or effort,
To the best of your ability,
... means loyalty.
 
Giving more than you have,
And expecting nothing,
But nothing in return,
... means selflessness.
 
Holding your head high,
And being the best you know you can be
When life seems to fall apart at your feet,
Facing each difficulty with the confidence
 
That time will bring you better tomorrows,
And never giving up,
... means confidence.

To "let go" does not mean to stop caring, it means I can't do it for someone else.
To "let go" is not to cut myself off, it's the realization I can't control another.
To "let go" is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To "let go" is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in may hands.
To "let go" is not to try to change or blame another, it's to make the most of myself.
To "let go" is not to care for, but to care about.
To "let go" is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To "let go" is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
To "let go" is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to effect their destinies.
To "let go" is not to be protective, it's to permit another to face reality.
To "let go" is not to deny, but to accept.
To "let go" is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
To "let go" is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes, and cherish myself in it.
To "let go" is not to criticize and regulate anybody, but to try to become what I dream I can be.
To "let go" is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.
To "let go" is to fear less, and love more. 

Red roses were her favorites, her name was also Rose.
And every year her husband sent them, tied with pretty bows.
The year he died, the roses were delivered to her door.
The card said, "Be my Valentine," like all the years before.
 
Each year he sent her roses, and the note would always say,
"I love you even more this year, than last year on this day."
"My love for you will always grow, with every passing year."
She knew this was the last time that the roses would appear.
 
She thought, he ordered roses in advance before this day.
Her loving husband did not know, that he would pass away.
He always liked to do things early, way before the time.
Then, if he got too busy, everything would work out fine.
 
She trimmed the stems, and placed them in a very special vase.
Then, sat the vase beside the portrait of his smiling face.
She would sit for hours, in her husband's favorite chair.
While staring at his picture, and the roses sitting there.
 
A year went by, and it was hard to live without her mate.
With loneliness and solitude, that had become her fate.
Then, the very hour, as on Valentines before,
The doorbell rang, and there were roses, sitting by her door.
 
She brought the roses in, and then just looked at them in shock.
Then, went to get the telephone, to call the florist shop.
The owner answered, and she asked him, if he would explain,
Why would someone do this to her, causing her such pain?
 
"I know your husband passed away, more than a year ago,"
The owner said, "I knew you'd call, and you would want to know."
"The flowers you received today, were paid for in advance."
"Your husband always planned ahead, he left nothing to chance."
 
"There is a standing order, that I have on file down here,
And he has paid, well in advance, you'll get them every year.
There also is another thing, that I think you should know,
He wrote a special little card...he did this years ago."
 
"Then, should ever, I find out that he's no longer here,
That's the card...that should be sent, to you the following year."
She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing hard.
Her fingers shaking, as she slowly reached to get the card.
 
Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a note.
Then, as she stared in total silence, this is what he wrote...
"Hello my love, I know it's been a year since I've been gone,
I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome."
 
"I know it must be lonely, and the pain is very real.
For if it was the other way, I know how I would feel.
The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life.
I loved you more than words can say, you were the perfect wife."
 
"You were my friend and lover, you fulfilled my every need.
I know it's only been a year, but please try not to grieve.
I want you to be happy, even when you shed your tears.
That is why the roses will be sent to you for years."
 
"When you get these roses, think of all the happiness,
That we had together, and how both of us were blessed.
I have always loved you and I know I always will.
But, my love, you must go on, you have some living still."
 
"Please...try to find happiness, while living out your days.
I know it is not easy, but I hope you find some ways.
The roses will come every year, and they will only stop,
When your door's not answered, when the florist stops to knock."
 
"He will come five times that day, in case you have gone out.
But after his last visit, he will know without a doubt,
To take the roses to the place, where I've instructed him,
And place the roses where we are, together once again."

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must – but don’t you quit.
 
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow-
You might succeed with another blow.
 
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggle has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
 
Success is failure turned inside out –
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt –
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to fight when you’re hardest hit –
It’s when things seems worst that you mustn’t quit

(A)ccepts you as you are
(B)elieves in "you"
(C)alls you just to say "Hi"
(D)oesn't give up on you
(E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
(F)orgives your mistakes
(G)ives unconditionally
(H)elps you
(I)nvites you over
(J)ust "be" with you
(K)eeps you close at heart
(L)oves you for who you are
(M)akes a difference in your life
(N)ever judges
(O)ffers support
(P)raises you for the great things you do
(Q)uiets your fears
(R)aises your spirits
(S)ays nice things about you
(T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it
(U)nderstands you
(V)alues you
(W)alks beside you
(X)-plains things you don't understand
(Y)ells when you won't listen and
(Z)aps you back to reality
 
A friend is someone we turn to
When our spirits need a lift.
A friend is someone we treasure
For our friendship is a gift.
 
A friend is someone who fills our lives
With Beauty, Joy, and Grace
And makes the world we live in
a Better and Happier Place. 

Home’s not merely four square walls,
Though with pictures hung and gilded;
Home is where affection calls –
Filled with shrines the hearth had builded.
 
Home! Go watch the faithful dove,
Sailing ‘neath the heaven above us.
Home is where there’s one to love!
Home is where there’s one to love us.
 
Home’s not merely roof and room,
It needs something to endear it;
Home is where the heart can bloom
Where there’s some kind lip to cheer it!
 
What is home with none to meet,
None to welcome, none to greet us?
Home is sweet, and only sweet,
Where there’s one we love to meet us!
Charles swain