Our friends and family are very important to us and occupy a special place in our hearts. We love them. They are like a part of ourselves that cannot be replaced …any more than we could grow a new hand. When we lose a family member or friend, it is as if a piece of us has been torn away. A piece of my heart was torn away today. My friend – my old and good friend – died today.
What would our lives be like without good friends? We can have lots of friends but a good friend or a “best” friend is a very special person to us. A friend is someone with whom you spend enjoyable times. A “good” friend is not just some one to have fun with . . . they are someone you trust, depend on, and someone who “shares” your life. A good friend is someone who knows your faults and loves you anyway.
Good friends are hard to find and there aren't nearly enough of them. They are someone to cherish. I cherished my good friend but even though I knew the time was near, I kept telling myself it isn't time yet.
When I left her bedside yesterday, I casually said “I'll see you tomorrow” and I meant it. One must never take anything for granted. Today is tomorrow and I didn't see her. She took a turn for the worst last night. She had insisted all along that she wanted to die at home and knew when her time had come. She knew last night. She knew when she told everyone she wanted to go home immediately. Hospitals are slow and it took a long time but she made it through the night.
When they told me this morning that she was going home, I knew she was going home to die, and it would be soon. There aren’t too many other things more devastating than losing a good friend. Yes, I knew this morning that the call I dreaded would come very soon, I just hoped it wouldn't be today. I wanted her to see all of her family one last time first, but the call did come today. I wasn't shocked by the news, I just didn't want it to be true.
Such a loss rips open our lives like a knife and the wound must be repaired. So we grieve so that our minds heal this hurt. It hurt and I cried – my mind won't be still. It is hard to accept the reality. We have to go on with our lives, and while it seems impossible for a time, we need to let go of those we love who have passed on. That is what I must do now. It isn't easy but we gradually accept our loss, replacing their physical presence with sweet memories. This hurts all the way to my soul even though I know that it was only her body that passed and her spirit lives on.
Rest in peace my friend. I will miss you forever.
NEW FRIENDS AND OLD FRIENDS
Author: JOSEPH PARRY
Make new Friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, These are gold.
New-made friendships, like new wine,
Age will mellow and refine.
Friendships that have stood the test
Time and change are surely best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,
Friendship never knows decay.
For 'mid old friends tried and true,
Once more we our youth renew.
But old friends, alas may die,
New friends must their place supply.
Cherish friendship in your breast
New is good, but old is best;
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.
