I now understand friendship

I used to sit and wonder why
And at times it made me sigh
Why friends so dear would come and go
The reasons I would never know

It used to make me sit and cry
Why friends would leave and sometimes die
But friends are sent in times of need
These friends are sent to plant a seed

I used to feel I should do more
To stop them walking out the door
But now Im old I understand
They come and go cos all is planned

If you think with logic here
When youve had a friend so dear
Its always when you need them most
Then they disappear as ghosts

When they go we're not to blame
No thoughts of guilt or pangs of pain
Just smile and wave, hold open the door
They go cos someone needs them more

Sometimes it's hard to understand
You think you need no helping hand
A friend is sent and all comes clear
They help you see what matters here

A friend appears out of the blue
In troubled times they're sent to you
I realise that this is planned
When someone catches my outstretched hand

There are some friends that hang around
And for these few we should be proud
These are the ones who'll never leave
Their hearts so big we'll always need

So here's to all those friends so dear
Some are gone and some still here
The part you played may just feel small
But I thank you and I love you all.