LIFE IS DIFFICULT.
Scott M. Peck, The Road Less Traveled
I’ve been spending time with my friend. We haven’t been doing much. I sit. She lies there sleeping. Or I hold a popsickle up to her lips and let the cool melted liquid quench her parched lips. She opens her eyes occasionally and occasionally I kiss her forehead.
I tell her that I love her.
It isn’t much.
It’s everything to me.
The seventeen years before these flash through my memories as I sit beside her.
Conversations. Laughter. Tears. Challenges…dreams…some left undone, some came true.
We got pregnant within one week of each other fifteen years ago.
We buried her daughter together eleven years ago, holding each other through blistering tears so painful I thought we would die from them.
Now…Those tears are back again.
But so are the smiles. I wouldn’t trade one precious moment of this friendship.
She is a beautiful, beautiful woman.
Even now. Especially now.
Brave. Fearless. Full of grace and dignity.
She is still living. I am happy to sit beside her while she does.
I am grateful for every precious moment.
Even these final ones we have together.
Family and friendships are the most precious gifts we are ever given.
It’s all that matters.
