A Difficult Day

I started the day with Cardiac Rehab, of course. The scale showed that I'm up a couple of pounds. Despite trying to be careful, weekend meals and last night's spaghetti supper might have contained more salt than usual, causing water weight gain.



After I got home, I arranged silk sunflowers, and cattails gathered from the yard, into a Mason jar, and tied a raffia bow on it. I tucked a sunflower photo greeting card that I'd made on the computer into the arrangement. Inside the card, I'd added a photo of the three of us, as well as a photo of Shih Tzu. We hope the arrangement and card bring a little cheer to our friend who is battling terminal breast cancer and must take medical leave from her job.



At 3 p.m., arrangement in hand, we went over to the college for a gathering to honor this special lady. Attending the event was very difficult. Today she sat, thin and ashen, and obviously exhausted, with an oxygen tank at her side, putting on a brave face as she visited with each of us individually. Mother remarked on how cold our friend's hand was as she held it.

This is a lady, who only short months ago could command a room with her powerful voice, lighthearted banter and bright smile. Our hearts especially went out to her husband, who, though he tried not to let his wife see, was unable to contain his tears for very long.




Refreshments were offered, and although none of us felt like eating, we accepted small portions for politeness sake, nibbling at our food without enjoyment. As at any gathering, folks stood around in groups engaging in small talk. But the atmosphere was low-key, with little laughter, as if our healthy gaiety would somehow be a betrayal to our friend...a reminder to her of how she has been robbed of joy by her disease.


We left the gathering with heavy hearts, riding home in silence. We feel so helpless in the face of this. We want to do something constructive for our friend, but are at a loss to know what would help. And so we'll pray, and stand by should she or her family call upon us.