For The Longest Time

“If you said goodbye to me tonight

There would still be poetry to write

What else could I do

I was so inspired by you

I hadn’t felt that for the longest time”

Of the billions who walk the face of the earth

Your footsteps are imprinted on my mind and matter

Acquaintances are many

Family is family just because

Yet true friends are but few

And that number includes you.

“It’s how I need you

And how you needed me too

That hasn’t happened for the longest time”

You’re more than just a friend

You’re a star in my sky

And when it’s been at its darkest

You’ve shone to get me by

Made me laugh, watched me mad

Picked me up, urged me on my path

“Who knows how much further we’ll go on

I know I’ll be sorry when you’re gone

We’ll take our chances

To enjoy what real friendship is

I’ll always thank you for the longest time”

As long as the sun keeps shining

And God gives us another day to be

Through the ups and downs

Smiles and frowns

I’ll treasure our friendship

Hope to be as good of a friend as thee

And give thanks for the blessing

You’ve been to me.

“Now I know the person that you are

You’re wonderful so far

And it’s more than I hoped for

I don’t care what consequence it brings

I have been a fool for lesser things

I love you so bad

I think you ought to know that

We’ll have each other for the longest time”

Italicized part -  Slight Remix of Billy Joel 'For the longest time'  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_XgQhMPeEQ

So over the past few months, I've really come to appreciate the real and true friends I have. Out of the billions of people I know (hahaha it's amazing how small the world is) only a few people apart from family matter dearly to my heart. even that few is considered many to others but I can't help it.

Everyone comes into your life for a reason and a season - these true friends have been, are and will be there through the coldest of winters to the driest days of harmattan. They will also be present in  the burgeoning days of spring, the warm fun-filled summer days and the bountiful days of harvest.  

Proverbs 18:24   'A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.'

Proverbs 27:17   'As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.'

1 Samuel 20 shares the beautiful story of friendship and  Jonathan's loyalty to David. 

As I posted in my last piece(after all the sadness.lol) a paragraph on friends. All these friends are a blessing but remember God is our ultimate friend and we should treasure the amazing relationship we have with him. John 15: 9-17 addresses His love and friendship with us. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015:9-17&version=NIV 

 To toast to years of friendships which will last the longest time are the following pieces (Most are old school but that's what I jam with. 

* Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Burt Bacharach, Gladys Knight, Elton John - That's what friends are for http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE9KT_dU_R8

* Musiq Soulchild  Love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIKC2ggCed4

* James Taylor & Carole King - You've got a friend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7RPCFfudmU&feature=related

* Bill Withers - Lean on Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaVXfHZv50Y

 For our ultimate friendship with God - Be Grateful (2 versions below)

* Original by The Hawkins Family http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUEkRp69aIU (ISGC Sang at their church in Oakland during ISGC Spring 2008 Tour in San Fransisco )

* Ledisi's version at Walter Hawkins Tribute concert last summer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG5McDSV8o8&feature=related

* Kojo Antwi - Oni Bi Adanfo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z46ngB_sJ4Q&playnext=1&list=PLEF13553431D86F10 (note that's someone's video there's no official video and it's the only recording I could find)

ps I started this blog roughly about a year ago (some day in July 2010), and I want to give a special shoutout to Shelz who encouraged me to start this because today is her birthday. (http://shels-ruminations.blogspot.com NB. She is on a hiatus, but I am praying for her return for the world to enjoy!)  Thanks to all my followers for supporting and commenting.

Much Love Always, 

MysTery :)

Lost & Found

Just like the waves

You push and pull me back

The things you do

Toss me around

The things you say

Whirl around unsettled in my head

Like any load borne by water.

Like the rise and fall of the crest of the waves

Your affection rises and washes over my shores

As quickly as it ebbs and leaves me high and dry

Sometimes the current is too strong

I have no control as you send me plunging deep

From the sun kissed surface

To the mysterious, cold, murky dark depths

Where I am lost

Lost in you

Lost in thought

Lost in me

Lost in lust

Lost in ways I can’t describe

Lost, without you I might die

Lost. Simply Lost.

Just as the crests of these emotions plunges to its bottom

The trough between them brings me back from the deep

The wave cycle repeated itself for lengths of time

Yet this time,

I begin to regain my senses as I rise

The mystifying waters get clearer

The pressure lessens

And probably the feelings too

I feel the sun

It’s always good to be brought up to the light

I see it all now

The confusion and hurt settled deep down below

I fought the waves that tried to take me back

I found myself strong

I found myself moving along

I found myself far in on the shore

To be tossed and turned no more.

Well yah long story short. You know when you have those hunches and you find out ( I have too many of those. ah well)  It hurts BAD. But I expected it so, that's a load I can forget about now. You win some, you lose some. LOL. Never settle for 2nd best.

Piece inspired by friend and self.

Another friend had this quote on facebook yesterday which was so apt - "We're always looking for keys to open OLD doors, thus leaving our NEW doors shut." Very few doors have been old and new at the same time, but this one has and will always be loved so I'll be that great friend and be happy.

ps From ODB for July 5,2011 He Calls Me Friend http://odb.org/2011/07/05/he-calls-me-friend/

Someone has defined friendship as "knowing the heart of another and sharing one's heart with another. We share our hearts with those we trust, and those who care about us. We confide in our friends because we have confidence that they will use the information to help us,not harm us. They in turn confide in us for the same reason' 

Yet it seems like I got some "friends" who are two faced should I say. Time will surely tell.

So some sad love songs to accompany this piece ..aaawwwww. hahaha!

Tank   'I Can't Make You Love Me' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXnhWthZ_k4

Kojo Antwi   'Nfa Me Nko Ho' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h79Wxk7A6Yg

Tamia   'Almost' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpmvcAE5PlE

Alicia Keys   'Love is like the Sea' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2ASbb8bjjQ (ps I saw her in concert February 22,2010 with another great friend. AMAZING is an understatement)