The Ballad of Samantha Branson

My Mom is a smart lady.

I go to her whenever I need advice & she is usually right ;-)

She sent me this in an e-mail a couple of years ago, & I go back & read it anytime I'm down about friends. Its really helpful & it certainly makes me feel better.

Maybe it will work for you too :-)


People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is...you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance & support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a God send & they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up & force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fullfilled & their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered & now it is time to move on with your life.


Some people come into your life for a season, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it because it is real.
But only for a season.


Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person & put what you have learned to use in all other relationships & areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind!
But friendship is clairvoyant.