07/03/2024
Look for the ones who stay.
Look for the ones who stay when the party’s over, when trash covers the tables and the band is packing up to go home. When the dancing has stopped, and the chattering of conversation has turned to silence. Look for the ones who stay and ask if they can help. Look for the ones who stay when there’s no fun to be had, only work to do. Look for the ones who aren’t living for the life of the party, but simply to be a part of the host’s life.
Look for the ones who stay when everyone else has forgotten. Look for the ones who stay when everyone else has gotten tired of your crying. Look for the ones who stay and let you grieve, and hold your hand while you mourn. Look for the ones who stay through the rough, and the tough, and the waiting until you can get back up and walk and be yourself again.
Look for the ones who stay and celebrate. Look for the ones clap when you win, and cheer when your’e ahead. Look for the ones who make signs, and drop off goodie baskets, and stand at the finish line to give you a hug. Look for the ones who genuinely want good for you, who push aside their feelings of jealousy and comparison to wish you well when everyone else is wishing the worst on you.
Look for the ones who stay when other people start gossiping. Look for the ones who stay when everyone else believes the lies. Look for the ones who stay and offer a hand when you get knocked down and everyone else is laughing at your expense. Look for the ones who stay when everyone else is whispering and slandering your name. Look for the ones who talk good about you, and hush up anyone trying to drag your name through the mud. Look for the ones who stay and stick up for you when you’re not around to defend yourself. Look for the ones who know you heart, and always give you the benefit of the doubt.
Look for the ones who stay when a loved one is sick, when a baby is born and won’t stop crying. Look for the ones who stay and help you pack up your things when you’re going through a difficult move. Look for the ones who stay when a job lets you go, when money is tight. Look for the ones who stay when your marriage hits a rough patch, and your kids aren’t acting the way they should. Look for the ones who stay through those major life events, when things get turned upside-down, when there’s no easy fix, when all you need is one friend to understand.
Look for the ones who stay through your losing seasons, and your winning seasons, and all the mundane times in-between.
Look for the ones who stay when you’re on top of the mountain, and when your’e stumbling through the valley.
Look for the ones who stay and pray when your’e still down at the alter. Look for the ones who stay and praise when you’re still in victory-phase. Look for the ones who stay and give grace and forgive when you fall flat on your face.
Look for the ones who stay and push you to be better than the girl you were yesterday. Look for the ones who stay and encourage you to shine brighter, and love harder. Look for the ones who stay and tell you the truth when everyone else doesn’t have the courage to give it to you straight. Look for the ones who believe the best, and stay through the worst, because they know sunshine is on the other side.
Look for the ones who stay even when it’s not easy, not fun, not convenient. Look for the ones who stay even when friendship takes a little extra work.
Look for the ones who stay through a pandemic.
While everyone else keeps it shallow, and stays fickle. While everyone else sways back and forth with their opinions of who they think you are, and what the think you should be doing. While everyone loves you for a brief moment, and then forgets all about you when something better comes along, keep your head up and your heart open and look for the ones who stay because those are your people.
Love,
Amy
Picture from Canva
