So here I am once more. In a hospital waiting room. Waiting for a friend who has cancer and it's time for her level of care to increase as the cancer appears to be forging ahead despite treatment.
Cancer is hard. My role this time is the same yet different as it was with Pam. Pam was my friend, my sister. She was family. J is our neighbor and until her diagnosis, we were the live-across-the-street, call how-are-you-doing, wave-hello kind of neighbors. She was busy with her job and kept close company. We were busy with family, our home, work, life demands, with ... .
Enter the C word. The game-changer. I became her friend, her house-tidier (housekeeper would be a stretch!), transporter, encourager, occasional meal provider. We began helping her with daily life. We became privileged to spend time with her, learn from her, hear her stories. She's lived all over the world, met many famous people, has a wonderful sense of humor, is smart and kind. We enjoyed time with her on Christmas night and New Year's Eve.
Cancer triggered our friendship. I am glad that our friendship was triggered, but I wish it wasn't by cancer. Walking this path with J has really made me think about what it means to love your neighbor. Your literal neighbor. There is joy, there is pain, it is wonderful, it is hard. Sometimes very hard.
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