With a friend by my side

The road is less bumpy

With a friend by my side.
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The hill is less steep

With a friend by my side.
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The day is more sunny

With a friend by my side.
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The sky is less cloudy

With a friend by my side.
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The stars shine more bright

With a friend by my side.
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The music is richer

With a friend by my side.
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The sights are more fun

With a friend by my side.
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The meals are more pleasurable

With a friend by my side.
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The adventures are more engaging

With a friend by my side.
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The darkness is less scary

With a friend by my side.

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The shadows are not so spooky

With a friend by my side.

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The world is a warmer, friendlier, place

With a friend by my side.
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Stay well, my friends, stay well.

You are truly, one of life's treasures.

Stay well, my friends, stay well.

Knowing you has been one of my life's greatest pleasures.
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Stay well, my friends, stay well.

I am so grateful life threw us together.

Stay well, my friends, stay well.

I am so glad we've known each other, like almost forever.
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Stay well, my friends, stay well.

Look after yourself, please do.

So we can continue to meet, talk, say hello, or do things together.

I look forward to plenty more of that, with you.
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Stay well, my friends, stay well.

Look after yourself, please do.

For if truth be told, I would not alter.

A single word of the history, of me and you.
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Stay well, my friends, stay well.

Look after yourself, please do.

My world would be - well, I cannot even imagine what it would be.

If not for the presence in it, of friends like you.
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Stay well, my friends,

Stay well!

There's a comfort in the familiar

There's a comfort in the familiar
Which to each of us, is understandable and plain.
The worn sweater, the frayed nightdress
Someone calling us by a special name.
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There's a comfort in the familiar
The favorite chair on which we sit.
Our favorite tea, the first thing we do, when we wake up
The flow of our daily routines and habits.

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There's a comfort in the familiar.
The sights and sounds of our day.
The tv stations we watch, the music channels we listen to
All we do, as we work, and as we play.
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There's a comfort in the familiar
Tending to the plants and animals in our care.
Opening the blinds to let in the sunshine
Opening the window to let in some air.
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There's a comfort in the familiar
The people we run into regularly at different places.
The gal at the grocery store, the person at the pharmacy
The strangers in our lives, who have become well-known faces.
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There's a comfort in the familiar
In talking to, or meeting, those who know us best.
Those who know the victories we have celebrated, and the losses we have mourned
And whose knowledge, wisdom, support, comfort, or company, have seen us through life's ups and downs, and its tests.
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Yes, there's a comfort in the familiar
And it's time to give thanks, where thanks are due.
So without further delay, let me express gratitude for all, and everything, that's a familiar part of my life
And guess what - that includes you!

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Thank you for being a part of my life, and wishing you the very best for 2025!