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L was my friend. We didn't always agree; in fact, although we were both covered under that large 'Pagan-Wiccan' umbrella, similar to the Christian one that encompasses both Catholics and Protestants; we had some vastly differing philosophical and theological views. Still, we lived near each other and for a time we were very close. Lots of coffee was drunk, tarot cards were read, even a night or two was spent investigating the local graveyards, under a full moon of course.
Misunderstandings, mis-communications, and time slowly drove us apart, and I lost track of her for six years, maybe even longer. She and her family went one way, I and mine went the other. Her children (older than mine by a number of years) grew up and got married, my children grew up, and up and up.
Out of nowhere, I saw her in of all places, the hospital. Yep, I was on duty at my new job, here where I live. The first time I saw her, she was waiting to be seen in the emergency room, and I only had a few moments to get reacquainted. Turns out she'd moved to this area as well, and at about the same time I did. We talked children for a moment, but I was called away to other things and forgot about the incident over time.
Met up with her in the ICU a couple months later. She wasn't doing well, but they'd had her on antibiotics, but we were hopeful for the outcome. I stood in the doorway to talk to her, spent a hell of a long time there in fact. She left the next day and I went on with my life, as I was sure she went on with hers.
Met up with her again, a couple weeks ago. She was back in the ICU, and back on medication. She was in pain, and sick, and it hurt to see her like that. This time, I put on a mask and gloves, went in and sat down. And every time I did another inside round, I made sure to sit for a few minutes and talk more with her. Learned about her sons, and her grandchildren; got to slowly start knowing my friend again. And she got to know about me. Of course I had to come back after my shift was over, put on another mask and show her the pictures I'd taken of my boys. I think it's almost a habit now, I show those pictures to all my friends I think. We discussed their lives, and ours, and yes certain issues that came up now didn't seem nearly as important as they were back then. Just two old friends hashing out times together.
L told me that she was going to be heading to another hospital the next day, a place that had specialists in her ailment. I told her I'd be back the next morning before she left, but the next day a patient standby had me in the ER for quite a while. And by the time I got up there to see her awake, the ambulance had already taken my friend off to the next step in her journey. I lit a candle for her that night, to light her way back to health, and for freedom from pain and sickness.
Yesterday, my roommate gave me the message that my friend L was gone. An acquaintance of a friend of a friend sent me the message. I guess I missed that day's obituary in the paper. And it was too late; I'd even missed her funeral. Kind of ironic, her funeral was held on the day I was in Boston, meeting a new friend for the first time. You know, the losing of one, while I was (hopefully) making another. I think she'd have been cool with that; she was always good for meeting new people. Still, I'd wish I'd known. Gods do I wish I'd known.
I could go on about the time wasted, the stupidity of the mis-communication, and the frailty of life. But I won't. That wouldn't do her justice, that wouldn't celebrate my friend's life the way I know she wanted it done. She would be shaking her head at me if she knew, I think, and probably shaking her finger at me as well. So instead I'm going to look back and thank the powers that be, that she's no longer sick, no longer in pain and hurting. And I'm blessed, because I was able to see my friend once more; that we were able to touch lives and smile and laugh one more time. I'm honored that we were able put the past behind us, and smile at each other again. .
And in the end, I think that's the most important thing of all.
Misunderstandings, mis-communications, and time slowly drove us apart, and I lost track of her for six years, maybe even longer. She and her family went one way, I and mine went the other. Her children (older than mine by a number of years) grew up and got married, my children grew up, and up and up.
Out of nowhere, I saw her in of all places, the hospital. Yep, I was on duty at my new job, here where I live. The first time I saw her, she was waiting to be seen in the emergency room, and I only had a few moments to get reacquainted. Turns out she'd moved to this area as well, and at about the same time I did. We talked children for a moment, but I was called away to other things and forgot about the incident over time.
Met up with her in the ICU a couple months later. She wasn't doing well, but they'd had her on antibiotics, but we were hopeful for the outcome. I stood in the doorway to talk to her, spent a hell of a long time there in fact. She left the next day and I went on with my life, as I was sure she went on with hers.
Met up with her again, a couple weeks ago. She was back in the ICU, and back on medication. She was in pain, and sick, and it hurt to see her like that. This time, I put on a mask and gloves, went in and sat down. And every time I did another inside round, I made sure to sit for a few minutes and talk more with her. Learned about her sons, and her grandchildren; got to slowly start knowing my friend again. And she got to know about me. Of course I had to come back after my shift was over, put on another mask and show her the pictures I'd taken of my boys. I think it's almost a habit now, I show those pictures to all my friends I think. We discussed their lives, and ours, and yes certain issues that came up now didn't seem nearly as important as they were back then. Just two old friends hashing out times together.
L told me that she was going to be heading to another hospital the next day, a place that had specialists in her ailment. I told her I'd be back the next morning before she left, but the next day a patient standby had me in the ER for quite a while. And by the time I got up there to see her awake, the ambulance had already taken my friend off to the next step in her journey. I lit a candle for her that night, to light her way back to health, and for freedom from pain and sickness.
Yesterday, my roommate gave me the message that my friend L was gone. An acquaintance of a friend of a friend sent me the message. I guess I missed that day's obituary in the paper. And it was too late; I'd even missed her funeral. Kind of ironic, her funeral was held on the day I was in Boston, meeting a new friend for the first time. You know, the losing of one, while I was (hopefully) making another. I think she'd have been cool with that; she was always good for meeting new people. Still, I'd wish I'd known. Gods do I wish I'd known.
I could go on about the time wasted, the stupidity of the mis-communication, and the frailty of life. But I won't. That wouldn't do her justice, that wouldn't celebrate my friend's life the way I know she wanted it done. She would be shaking her head at me if she knew, I think, and probably shaking her finger at me as well. So instead I'm going to look back and thank the powers that be, that she's no longer sick, no longer in pain and hurting. And I'm blessed, because I was able to see my friend once more; that we were able to touch lives and smile and laugh one more time. I'm honored that we were able put the past behind us, and smile at each other again. .
And in the end, I think that's the most important thing of all.
