Friends Need Friends-Forever by Jim Martin euronitram54@gmail.com

  We have all had days that our Mothers warned us about when we were young. I can hear it in my mind sometimes, "Mom said there would be days like this ". Maybe you are young enough and still have a Mother alive to talk to or maybe not. If not, then maybe your spouse or a brother or sister ? But also are good ,close friends who really stand by your side when needed. Really loyal and loving friends are there when you have had one of those days or weeks where anything that "could" go wrong--actually did. I remember the song by Otis Redding named "A Rainy Night In Georgia" . Such a Rainy Night In Georgia-I feel that it's raining all over the World-Lord I feel it's raining all over the World. That kind of sums it up when you have had a day or week like that when you "think" the entire World knows about your situation. 
  This is how your children feel sometimes when "they" have had a day as Mothers promised and they look up to you as a Parent searching yours eyes for comfort and "how" to take another step out of this rainy night in Georgia----or "all over the World" ! It's then that you need to be more than Mom or Dad. You need to be a loving friend ready to support them and "build them up" !
  Being an adult is not much different--we are just older and more experienced. As Christians, we maybe have a hotline to Heaven (as my Sister says) that has been used more in times of crises or just when praying for others !
  But Friends have to be loyal and loving like a dog at home. When you get home, your dog comes running with tail wagging and loving all over you. He doesn't know "what kind of day you have had. He "just loves" you ! But friends can do without the tail wagging. Just loving ,loyalty and positive influence will suffice ! And a Cat "could" be man's best friend--but he would never admit it.
  True Friends forever, who know and love you, will remind you of your goodness and that no mortal is perfect ! They will tell you that true friendship is never having to say you are sorry. They will remind you of the strength in being a Christian and of being a COI (Center of Influence) for others to look up to. We met two therapist the last couple of weeks at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis TN who not only love what they do but are always positive/upbeat and always smiling. They are Christians and are "truly"COI's just by being themselves and living right. They inspired this article.
  Being a Parent/Friend--Brother--Sister or just loyal and loving friend is so critical these days and we ALL need to be on stand-by like firemen/policemen to come to the rescue of others in time of need--on those "Rainy Nights In Georgia--or all over the World ".
by Jim Martin Memphis TN.    euronitram54@gmail.com