This page is dedicated to my very best FRIEND... VICKY
More and More as years go by
I count my richest treasures,
The friends who've come
And stayed awile with me...
Friends whose love and loyalty
No words can ever measure...
The ones who have walked
The extra mile with me
For I have traveled a many mile
And been to many places,
And learned the worth
Of all things real and true
And most of all, Ive learned the worth,
Of old, familiar faces...
Old Friends, Real Friends...
Lifelong Friends
Like You.... Vicky.
Thanks for always being there for me to share my sadness and
happiness. Love Always, Shirley



The Gift of Friendship
FRIENDSHIP is a PRICELESS GIFT
That cannot be bought or sold,
But its value is far greater
Than a mountain of gold---
For gold is cold and lifeless,
It can neither see nor hear.
And in time of trouble
It is powerless to cheer---
It has no ears to listen.
No heart to understand.
It cannot bring you comfort
Or reach out a helping hand---
So when you ask God fo a GIFT.
Be thankful if HE sends
Not diamonds, pearls or riches
But the love of true friends.


--Author Unknown
A Friend is a Treasure

A True Friend is someone we can turn to in time of need and through his love and understanding we gain the strength to overcome many of the trials and tribulations in life.
A friend is someone special who listens with enthusiasm to our hopes and dreams; someone who overlooks our faults and failings, but never forgets to give praise when it is deserved.
With just a touch of the hand or warmth of a smile, a friend can bring a ray of sunshine into the darkest day.True Friends do not fade into yesterday, for time has a way of taking and sealing them into cherished possession within our heart.
A TRUE FRIEND is here to linger throughout the years and treasure forever.
--Author Unknown

Shirley and Vicky 1997

Shirley and Vicky......relaxing in the Florida Sun. Daytona Beach, Florida

Shirley and Vicky Sunning

Shirley and Vicky......relaxing in Clearwater, Florida

Frank and Cyndie

Our friends, Cyndie and Frank in Gatlinbug, Tn. fall 1998
Cherished Friend
There is a risk involved in everything,
Every time you share a smile
Every time you shed a tear
You are opening yourself up to hurt.
Some people tread slowly through life,
Avoiding the closeness risk brings,
Sidestepping the things they can't understand
Turning away from those who care too much-
Those who care stay too long,
Those who hold too tightly.
There is never an easy way to love.
You cannot approach it cautiously
It will not wait for you to arm yourself.
It does not care if you turn away.
It is everywhere, it is everything.
Love is the greatest of all risks.
It is not reliable, it is not cautious,
It is not sympathetic,
It is unprejudiced and unmerciful.
It strikes the strongest of mind,
And brings them to their knees in one blow.
Even in the best of times, love hurts.
It hurts to need, it hurts to belong,
It hurts to be the other part of someone else,
Without either of your consent.
But, from the moment it overtakes you,
It hurts worse to be all alone.
The risk of love never depletes;
It grows stronger and more dangerous with time.
But, it's in the total surrender of all defense,
That we, no matter weak or strong,
No matter willing or captive,
No matter what, we truly experience love.
Despite the many things love is not,
Outweighing it all are the things that love is.
Love is surrender without a loss.
It is a gift without the cost.
It consumes your every thought and desire,
Every breath you take.
It is the fire that fuels you
To do more than pass through life;
It urges you, instead, to live.
No matter the outcome, having felt love,
You will never be the same.
It may scar your heart and soul
And leave you only memories of forever.
Or, it may cause every day of your life
To feel like there is no need for tomorrow.
But, love is worth it.
It is worth the risk...
For in all of life,
Love is truly the only risk worth taking Cherished Friend
God must have known there would be times
We'd need a word of cheer
Someone to praise a triumph
Or brush away a tear.
He must have known we'd need to share
The joy of "little things",
In order to appreciate The happiness life brings.
I think he knew our troubled hearts
Would sometimes throb with pain
At trials and misfortunes
Or some goals we can't attain.
He knew we'd need the comfort
Of an understanding heart,
To give us strength and courage
To make a fresh, new start.
He knew we'd need companionship
Unselfish...lasting...true,
And so God answered the heart's great need
With a CHERISHED FRIEND....like you.