I had a Freedom Friday post dedicated to Black Friday scheduled for today, but I felt the need to push it forward a week so I could write about something else that’s been on my mind. [Update: Pushed the Black Friday post to next year.]
I recently visited the blog and Twitter feed of a longtime author friend of mine. In the interest of respecting their privacy, I’ll use they and them as a means of address. About this friend, I’m overjoyed to have learned they’re in good health again. They were going through a rough time last year—hospital, surgeries, going to sleep and not knowing if they’d wake up. Yet, despite the chaos, they pulled through. Today, they are healthy, exercising, eating right, and have a renewed sense of accomplishment and productivity. I admire their will to live and their ability to bounce back from such a devastating blow. To me, they are the truer hero than the fictional characters I write about on an ongoing basis.
Cancer is an insidious disease. It tears apart families and destroys lives. I hate it and wish medical research would hurry up and find a cure. Regarding this author friend of mine, their family is no stranger to the dreaded disease. And, from what I’ve pieced together, it seems to have resurfaced. I’m not sure what I can say here: I hope for the best? get well soon? No matter what I say, it never seems enough. The words sound fake, and I wish I could do more.
I guess the only sincere thing I can say is that my thoughts are with you.
Anyway, I have a few things I would like to briefly touch on for the remainder of this post.
First, Aristotle once said this about friendship:
I can’t say how beautiful a statement that is. It captures the essence of two people bonded to one another by a single heart. Oh, how devastating it would be if one-half was no longer there. Holidays wouldn’t be the same. Birthdays wouldn’t be the same. And the other half wouldn’t be the same.
Second, friendship and love are siblings:
Oh, to love and be loved in return.
Finally, the “other things” portion. As the end of the year approaches, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for coming to my site and offering support.
At the risk of sounding preachy, can I be so bold as to ask something of you?
Appreciate those around you. Never let them go. When they’re no longer there, it’ll be too late to say I love you. Be kind to one another and give to those in need. And—live to make every breath count.
Do you have friends you’re cheering for during their trials?
Looking to God 
Oh gosh… this was beautiful… just beautiful…
I was in the moment and wrote it down before thinking I might lose it.
I know what you mean. I have a cousin with whom I find myself frequently at odds with over matters of politics, religion, etc., but I try NOT to let it wreck my feelings of love & admiration for her. She’s a mother of 3 kids, one of whom has special needs. She also manages to better organized than I could possibly EVER be.
Love your willingness to make it work despite the differences.
A true friend turns minutes into moments to be cherished.
Beautiful.