Growing up on a farm we learn to accept that death is inevitable, it is the suffering that should be unnecessary. This is why I think that Cancer is such an awful disease. It leaves one with out dignity, no guarantee of survival, and it causes so much suffering for both the victim and their families. Cancer took someone from us recently. She was too young to die and it is painful to watch her two small children lose their mother.
My friends and I make a point of getting together on a regular basis. Sometimes we do something fun and sometimes it is just a coffee date at someones house. It isn't the activity that counts, it is the company we keep. In July our gathering was about hats. One of the girls had a hat party because someone we knew was battling cancer. So in July everyone came to the girls outing with a hat or a scarf for our friend to wear when she when she loses her hair. It was a symbol of support so she can look at those hats and remember how much we care about her.
August was a difficult month for scheduling an outing. School was starting, summer was ending, some were taking vacations, I had taken on a new project at work which meant long hours in addition to a schedule that was already full so no outing was scheduled. Around the 20th of August one of the girls we knew took a turn for the worst and went in the hospital. On the 25th her family said Hospice was called in. They were only giving her only few days to live. Cell phones and email were on fire with friends providing updates and trying to schedule help as needed. The last Friday of August she passed away.
On Monday morning one of the girls sent out an email that simply said "We need to get together." The following night, on August 30, an amazing thing happened. Within twenty four hours, we were all sitting at a restaurant table enjoying appetizers and the friendship we all share. It was a somber night but the companionship was like a salve on an open wound.
"A wake is a time of sadness, but also a time to bond with family, to remember the deceased fondly, and to take comfort in the company of loved ones. Traditional Celtic wakes were overnight affairs, but this custom is increasingly less common" Wickipedia
As we all prepared to leave, one of the ladies said " We needed this" We were a group of middle aged women in business attire that stood in the parking lot hugging each other. We did need that time together and immediately began talking about the next outing.
Treasure your family and friends. Life is short so make time for those who are important because death is a harsh reminder that life offers us no guarantees.
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