“The greatest healing
therapy is friendship and love.” - Hubert H. Humphrey
Do you find it odd when
old friends contact you out of the blue? Well for me, no. Because this moment
at the very least, you get a blast from the past. Last week, I got the chance
to talk with an old friend and it did bring back memories.
We weren’t close in
college but we talked and hung out. It was after the car accident that
took away someone dear to him that we began to really connect. Then it seemed like the sky was falling down on him after a streak of bad
luck – a rather unsettling experience. After graduation, we went on with our lives and I think we kind of lost touch along the way.
It has been nine years
since we last talked and I did not hesitate to ask how he has kept strong with
all that has happened to him.
I heard a deep breath
and then came these words. “I am not strong but that’s what we do as adults, Jerry. We suck it up and move
on. You fought with your girlfriend. Talk, understand, listen, apologize, and
move on. You’re diagnosed with cancer. You have the right to be depressed but fight like hell to survive, and
move on. A loved one died. Take your time to mourn, connect with friends for
support, and then move on.” His voiced cracked and I heard a sob on the other end but he
continued. “Bad things happen, but you know what, you have to continue living.”
My heart melted. I wanted to say a lot but I couldn’t collect my thoughts and I found myself
gasping for words. I said ‘Thank you’ in however modest way and then just let the silence speak.
*old pictures
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