Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Sad News

I have been sad lately because one of my childhood friends lost her long battle with breast cancer. We had sort of drifted apart but our mothers are friends and so I would get updates and we crossed paths occasionally. I was in at least another city and often another country. We got together when I moved back to Canada, but I had a new baby and she was in another city.

She was sweet and generous. She thought of others. She was not afraid to be silly and vulnerable. She left behind a great husband and two kids still in high school.

There were so many parts of this that hit me. She left behind her kids and they aren't grown. That is a chilling idea. What parent doesn't fear that? Her husband is left alone. They had a happy marriage and now it is over. I wish I had been a better friend to her. You always think that you will have more time.

I know that this has changed me. I will be there for the next breast cancer run. I will become a volunteer. It is too late for my friend, but her daughter is still out there.

Please take care of yourself - do self-examinations, get a mammogram. Please if you find something go to the doctor right away. My friend waited and now she is dead.

2 comments:

Yo-yo Mama said...

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Your relationship sounds so much like a childhood friendship I had with someone who also lost her battle with cancer at 38 leaving two small girls behind. I had to hear about it from my mother because we had lost touch. It makes me sad...

Joy said...

So sad. I lost two friends in their late thirties too - that seems like such a dangerous time for cancer.