"Portrait of a Friend"

I can't give solutions to all of life's problems, doubts,
or fears. But I can listen to you, and together we will
search for answers.

I can't change your past with all it's heartache and pain,
nor the future with its untold stories.
But I can be there now when you need me to care.

I can't keep your feet from stumbling.
I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall.

Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine;
Yet I can share in your laughter.

Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge;
I can only support you, encourage you,
and help you when you ask.

I can't prevent you from falling away from friendship,
from your values, from me.
I can only pray for you, talk to you and wait for you.

I can't give you boundaries which I have determined for you,
But I can give you the room to change, room to grow,
room to be yourself.

I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting,
But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces
and put them back in place.

I can't tell you who you are.
I can only love you and be your friend.

Dedicated To My Best Friend
Shilpa
(My only best friend now and for ever)

We turned out to be best friends the very next few hours after she texted this lovely poem to me!!

Sad part being I never ever measured up to her as a good friend but all through my college years she had been my best friend ever.

She gave me courage and support me through any problem in turn I only hurt-ed her more and more I feel very sad and sorry for it..

But a simple word sorry never changes a thing.

She may forgive me always; she is too generous with me but for what ever I did I can never forgive myself so I decided to stop hurting her.

I realized what a best friend truly is ....

But then it was too late...

We had to part where ever she is now hope she lives her life up to her dreams. And my best wishes for it. She is better off without me.

God bless her.......