Page 16 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Winter 2020- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

A Friend Loves

At All Times

by Cindy Rowley

ecently, one of my dearest
friends has experienced the
Rrecurrence of breast cancer sad. I’m scared, too. I hate this. I an excuse when she doesn’t want
that she fought four years ago with hope and pray the day comes soon to. We want only what is right and
both chemo and radiation. The when, once again, this disease has good for her.
treatment was very hard on her and been put in its place, but for now, I
took her to the limit of her strength, recognize with you how very bad We laugh. I have learned in my
but she was a valiant warrior and this is. experience of pastoral after care,
came out the victor. how very important laughter is. The
I tell her how strong and beautiful Bible actually says that “A merry
Now, faced with a struggle she she is and how very proud of her heart makes a good medicine”
never hoped to experience again, I am. She is strong, and she is (Prov. 17:22). Laughter can heal
I am wondering what I can do to beautiful. She gets up every day your heart and your emotions and
be the friend to her that she needs and lives life to the fullest of her sometimes, even your body. We
me to be? Here are a few of my abilities. She is a wife and a mother have a lot of history together, so it
thoughts: and a grandmother, and she is is pretty easy to call something to
making the most of her days with remembrance that brings a smile.
First and foremost, I pray for her. her family. She is an employee, and Cancer does not define her, so we
I believe in a God of love and lift her wonderful boss is allowing her purposefully talk about things
her up to Him every day. And, I to work as she can. Not one of us other than cancer. It doesn’t really
tell her that I am keeping her in my knows the day we will die, but I matter what topic we choose, at
prayers. It seems to encourage her am trying to take a lesson from her least for a while, it gets our minds
to know that she is not in this alone. and live my days as wisely and as off her illness and is refreshing.
I have cried with her and for her. wonderfully as she is living hers. Another loving thing to do for
Cancer, or any serious illness, I invite her to lunch and to dinner friends such as mine is to simply
stinks, and I believe it is important and to other events with me and say, “Let me help you with . . ..”
to look the facts of the diagnosis in our other friends. I love that she Rather than putting the burden on
the face and admit, “This situation comes when she feels like it but her to tell me how I can help, I try
stinks.” It grieves my heart. I’m that she knows she does not need to come up with that answer myself

16 Amarillo Senior Link