friends

born into family

instant friends

you fight and disagree 

but they are always there

you can't run away 

or switch off the light

growing up moving away 

from our family

choosing friends as our family

feeling good and safe

supported by like minded souls

or so you thought

the boundaries are fuzzy

and the tools that you learned

as a child to resolve conflict

are not the same as theirs

friends grew up differently

with their own families ways

having children of our own 

stir up the old feelings and provide

a new way to communicate

the old blurried limits dissolve

strong, clear boundaries appear:

friends love

friends forgive

friends admit when they are wrong

friends apologize

friends have compassion

friends keep secrets

friends make you laugh

friends are humble

I am growing up and realizing 

who my real friends are

the ones that stick around

when your boat is sinking 

throw you and oar

and jump in to help you navigate

thank you to my friends

some of you are new 

and some of you i have known forever

but all of you are appreciated