For gold is cold and lifeless
it can neither see nor hear
And in the time of trouble
it is powerless to cheer

It has no ears to listen
nor heart to understand
It cannot bring you comfort 
or reach out a helping hand

So when you ask God for a gift
Be thankful if HE sends not 
diamonds, pearls or riches
But The Love of Real True Friends

Author: Helen Steiner Rice

The Friend who Stands By

The Friend who Stands By
When trouble come your soul to try
You love the friend who just "stands by."
Perhaps there's nothing he can do
The thing is strictly up to you
For there are troubles all your own
And paths the soul must tread alone
Times when love cannot smooth the road
Nor friendship lift the heavy load
But just to know you have a friend
Who will "stand by" until the end
Whose sympathy through all endures
Whose warm handclasp is always yours
It helps, some ways, to pull you through
Although there's nothing he can do
And so with fervent heart you cry
"God bless the friend who just 'stand by."

B. Y. Williams 
From the book Tea For Two

A Special Friend

If there's someone you can talk to
someone no one can replace
If there's someone you can laugh with
'till the tears run down your face
If there's someone you can call on
when you need a helping hand
If there's someone you can count on
to advise and understand
If there's someone you think more of
as each year comes to it's end
You're a very lucky person
for you've found a Special Friend

Author: Unknown