“In this life that we live, you’re going to find that some people play the role of leaves where they look nice and pretty but once the seasons change they break off the branch and they go off on their own, then you have those friends that are the branches that they bend and they move with the wind in for the most part they’re there but when times get tough branches breaks, then you have those people that are in it for the long-haul those are the folks that are part of the root and trunk where the tree is at its strongest.” -AY

I don’t blame you. I know it’s hard. As I lay hooked up to oxygen, monitors beeping, thinking of my husband….my son….my family…my friends…my life. It know it’s hard for you. To simply be there. To lend your voice, to put yourself aside yet again…for a friend. It’s just really hard.

As children….as teenage girls we never dreamed we’d have to travel a road filled with divorce, multiple bouts of cancer, lies and tragedies. Every so often I’d look down and we’d both be carrying our luggage down the dusty road of life. Walking together with our chins high. Sometimes when your luggage would get too heavy, I’d lift the burden gladly. It was difficult at times but I didn’t mind. We were on the same road together. It really wasn’t that hard. To be your friend.

After years…decades of walking life as dear friends we were shown a fork in the road. My steps faltered. My bones ache from the disease eating at me. I looked at you. Your eyes downcast. Your shoulders rolled in to protect yourself. Your chin no longer raised in strength, but now trembling. It had become just really hard….to stay on this path with me. To be my friend.

So I release you. You know how this story ends. And I certainly hope when you remember me, you smile and realize it was just really easy for me to love you. To be your friend.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.healthcentral.com/amp/article/why-friends-may-disappear-after-your-cancer-diagnosis