Earlier today I got a phone call…they gave a friend of mine, two hours. Not two days, two weeks, or even two months. Hours!

so I went to see my supervisor, and I was given the rest of the day off, two hours. Ironic.

Thank goodness we had said our goodbyes via phone….sucky, but better than nada.

By the time I arrived, I was hugged by her family.

Carolynn and I had met in the Army, Basic Training, and one day while sitting in a foxhole on a training exercise, we started talking. Found out we were from the same state, and I knew her family. I’ve known them most of my life. Small world.

Her twin brother had arrived earlier in the week. He was home on compassionate leave. I was a rock, helping the family, talking. Some days being a therapist is a really good thing. But when I saw him, I broke down. I was losing a friend, he was losing his twin.

Some days you are where you need to be, doing what you need to be doing. Don’t wait another minute, call your best friend, tell them you love them and appreciate them. I have! (Waves!) I have said it before and I’ll say it again, Friendship is the greatest gift of all. It costs nothing but time, time to nurture it, and time to be there when you’re needed.

The life lesson I learned, I wasn’t there for me. I was there for love and support. That is what she would have wanted me to be doing. It’s what she’s done for me, when I was going through my own bout with cancer. A real friend is one that rubs your back, and hands you a warm wet towel after the chemo sickness has claimed you.

This holiday season, go spend time with friends. We have technology-use it. If you can’t fly/drive to where they are, use facetime, hotmail messenger has a video function. Be creative. It is easy.
Just remember, you are here for a reason, you just may not realize it yet.

Hugs