Monday, October 24, 2011

Friend Guilt

I have a case of what I call friend guilt at the moment. Guilty for my life continuing on in its own merry way, whilst a friend's world has been turned upside down.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of having lunch and a catch up with some other Wollongong Bloggers - check it out at Tina Gray {dot} Me here. I had a lovely time.

About 3 hours before the group photo in Tina's post was taken, I received a phone call to let me know that a friend's husband had passed away the night before after battling cancer for over 12 months.

This is a friend I have known since Year 7 (1982). She's one of those friends we all have - we can go years without catching up but when we do, it's like we've been in constant contact - we pick up where we left off.

I spoke to her yesterday afternoon and she sounded peaceful. She was surrounded by her wonderful family and her main concern is to make sure their 10 year old son is okay. I have no doubt that she will continue to be a wonderful Mum, she is a very strong woman. I don't know how I would cope in the same situation. She's grateful to have had time to prepare for this, rather than lose him suddenly. They were able to discuss and plan arrangements (I hate those words - discuss and plan arrangements). Just the other day after Mass, I overheard them discussing the memorial wall in our church grounds (where people place ashes & a plaque for their loved one) & I quipped that he wasn't going yet - he still had things to do here. There is nothing she wants me to do. She has it all under control already. She has meals in the freezer already. I guess I just need to be there mentally for her, ready to catch her if she feels like she is falling. I want to take her for coffee again when she is up to it.

So I continue on my charmed life today, in my normal routine (Tuesday = Grandma Day). She gets to meet with our parish priest again to finalise the funeral arrangements.

The candle I light today with be for him. Rest in Peace Laurie.

God Bless Linda & Daniel.

Karen xx

4 comments:

Norah Stevens said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Erin said...

I knew something was wrong yesterday , you didn't seem like your normal self big hugs to you Karen and I sorry for your friends loss xxxxx

rambling mum said...

Thank you both.....I feel selfish "wallowing" in my own thoughts when she is hurting so much but I know she wouldn't think of me in that way.

Annie Self said...

Life has both up and down moments, the latter are those who make us strong and help us appreciate happy times better!