Earlier this week I found out a friend had passed away. Although she had been sick for some time, it still came as a shock…are we ever prepared for bad news?
My friend’s name was Lynn. I first met her when she was in her early 20’s at a party we had at our home. She was the date of a friend of a friend of my husbands. I have a clear recollection of that occasion. She was cute, really cute, and fun…sparkly eyes and a killer smile. The couple married and in the 1980s and 90’s we were part of the same social circle. There were many parties (house or fancy dress up) and endless dinner parties. These were always good times and a reflection of the extravagance of those decades.
Eventually, that group of friends fizzled out. As our children got older, family time took priority. Several couples moved away, and a few others divorced, but it was always a treat to meet up with friends from the past. We met Lynn and her husband for dinner several years ago, and a few months later, we all had dinner in the greenhouse on one of those perfect evenings in the fall.
Unfortunately, soon after Lynn was diagnosed with cancer. The last time I saw Lynn was when I was dropping off a care package for her and her husband. As I was about to leave, Lynn roared up her driveway and motioned me to get into her car. She was over the moon with happiness. At her last doctor’s appointment, she was given the best news…her tumour was gone. If you could bottle that moment, it would be priceless! That excitement was short-lived…
Lynn was a wife, a mother, a teacher and a friend of many. She fought cancer like a warrior…never giving up, staying positive, determined and courageous. She won the admiration of all.
During these dark times…the pandemic, the isolation from loved ones, a society so divided filled with hate and anger; it’s paramount that we not lose sight of what’s really important. Losing a friend is a reminder that taking care of ourselves, our loved ones and somehow finding the beauty in simple pleasures is the only way to unburden ourselves of the weight we’ve collectively been carrying. Time has a way of just slipping away…
Take care, everyone,
xox Judy