My friend

A woman I have known since my family moved to MI (when I was in 2nd grade) has terminal cancer. Recently her oncologist gave her 6 months to live. She's my mom's best friend.  I saw her yesterday at her home. She looks so thin. She now needs help walking & uses a walker. She's on pain meds. 

She has a husband, two sons, several grand children, several sisters, lots of friends. I played with her sons when we were little. Trucks in the sandbox; riding bikes with kittens in our shoulders; climbing to the hay loft & swinging on the rope.

All through her chemo she told me that if I could do it & get through it so could she. I am devastated. Yesterday I whispered into her ear as I hugged her. She replied "Oh honey, it's ok.

What I said was "If I could trade places with you I would." And I meant every word.