Riches of True Friendship

Over the years we all have friends and acquaintances. We meets people in different circumstances, make friends and either stay in touch or lose touch over months or years. I know in my life that's happened in different jobs or areas I have lived in.

When I was thirteen my mother, brother, sister and I had moved to a small town. With the move and changing schools i was not happy with the whole situation. It was starting over and for a thirteen year old that can be tough.

I survived though and made many new friends. Then there is that little group you tend to bond with more and stick with. There were about five of us but three that really stayed together. Bev, Lisa and I were the closest.

Over the years we all grew apart. My son had a skating party coming up. He was anxious for me to meet his best friend, Chad from school.

It was a fun night. I remembered my balance on skates fairly well. I met Chad.. He seemed like a pretty decent guy. As I was skating around I noticed a familiar face on the sideline. After a double take I realized it was my friend, Bev. We hadn't seen each other for a few years. Her son, Chad was a baby. Chad! I then put two and two together. Bev and I spent the rest of the evening catching up but the comical part of the whole evening was that our sons were best friends.

After that we managed to keep in touch and get our group together for a picnic, dinner or whatever just to meet. The internet has since then made things much easier. Especially the great Facebook. It's wonderful how you can find friends and keep in touch. Just can't get Lisa on there. Although we are not in touch everyday we know where each other is.

Here we are now in our early fifties. A couple weeks ago I heard from Bev. She has colon cancer. That was a bit of a shock. Out of all of us I think Bev took the best care of herself. I smoked for awhile, which I quit. Then we all have our weight problems. Bev was always disgustingly fit.

I have dealt with my mother having cancer which took her within three months after it was diagnosed. Then my late husband who was killed in an accident had battled with cancer. He had a brain cancer, an astrocytoma. This was a terminal cancer which they were able to get into remission with surgery and radiation treatments. He had survived 9 years until the accident.

When hearing about cancer with a loved one I think the first feeling is helplessness. Probably through the whole ordeal. You don't know what to say or do. I can only imagine how the person with the cancer is feeling.

I remember seeing the fear in my mother's eyes. She was not going to tell any of our family because it was two days before Christmas. I saw the fear. I knew there was something and I made her tell me. When she told me she had cancer and was going to die I wanted to run out of the room. It was all I could do to make my feet stay in that place. I wanted to cry or scream. I knew I had to be strong. It was so hard.

I always wonder how that person is feeling when I know how traumatic it is to me. Then you know you have to handle it better. Overall though, you have the easy part.

Now here is my friend, Bev with cancer. She's had the surgery and was told they had gotten it all. Then there are always the tests they take of the surrounding areas. Last week she was called and told that the lymph nodes in the groin area have cancer. Next step is chemo.

I have to say I admire her courage. She sounds so positive and is planning on beating this which with faith I am sure she will. It is so amazing to me how people can deal with this awful monster. A monster they can not run away from.

I will be there for her to comfort and help. I believe everything in life happens for a reason. God and fate brings people together. There is always a reason for the road you take. It is just choosing that road.

Friendship is one big road. Trying to keep in touch is a big part and being there for each other is another. Bev is a true friend and I will be there and she will win this battle. I will be there to share. After all, that is what true friends are for.