By Rosie Moore

How many of you remember many, many, many years ago in junior high or high school carrying around those autograph books, getting all your friends, and some who were merely acquaintances, to sign them?  Forget about doing your homework or studying for a  test, getting autograph signatures were more important. Well, it was fun while it lasted.

I can still remember a lot of the sayings that were written in my autograph book, such as the silly ones, like, “yours till the ocean wears rubber pants to keep its bottom dry.” Or “2 good to be 4 gotten”, and “Roses are red, violets are blue, Sugar is sweet, and so are you.” Then there are thoughtful ones, such as, “don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow, don’t walk behind, me, I may not lead, just walk beside me and be my friend.” Then there were weird ones, such as, “Yours till England gets Hungry and fries Turkey in Greece.” I used to write in my daughter’s book, “It’s better to be  good woman than a fine lady.” They always asked me what that meant and I would tell them they will understand it when they get older.

Friendship means lending your shoulder for someone to cry on. It also means being comfortable around each other in silence. It means being able to tell each other anything and understanding without questions. And, of course, it means being able to say “I love you.”

I like this one: If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus one, so I never have to live without you.”

I had a friend like that once. We could agree to disagree. We liked the same type of movies, we disagreed on how to make thumbprint cookies. We spent many Sunday afternoons playing Scrabble (before internet). She was tall, I am short yet we could fit into the same car but not the same clothes. There aren’t many friends like that. She is gone now and I miss her.

Remember me, and bear in mind,

A good, true friend is hard to fine,

And if you find one good and true,

Change not the old one for the new.”

Lastly, don’t forget, “What  friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer.

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