A dear old friend called me last night. I have known Jeri over half of my life now (I am over 50) We first met on a dusty factory floor of Millet Sights. They make gun sights. Jeri was on assembly and QC, I was shipping supervisor.

She collided into me at the chow wagon, spilling my newly purchased burrito all over my smock. I didn’t get mad, in fact it was friends at first sight for both of us.

We became fast, true friends sharing our lives and she was the glue that kept me together when divorcing Don and she was the one person responsible for me meeting Mike. I love her more than life itself.

The conversation between us seemed stilted at first. I sensed she was struggling to find happy words but being swallowed in a darkness new to her. She has always been an upbeat wonderful friend.

Finally talk revolved around health and she dropped the bomb. She is dying (She is 57 years old) She was recently diagnosed with COPD with complications. Complications being; she is asthmatic and she has smoked since she was a teenager.

The doctors don’t give her much hope. One doctor was so crass and uncaring that after some extensive tests, he told the nurse to just put a toe tag on her foot! Needless to say, she was pissed and immediately sought another opinion. The opinion was grave, but better delivered, She will make it till Christmas (probably) but not to her birthday which is New Years Day.

I want to jump on a plane and fly back east and gather her in my arms for a good old fashioned warm hug. I want to share her with one last cup of hot cocoa and one final bowl of salsa and chips.

Why does God feel he has to remove the good people from this world and leave so much of the bad? What sense does that make?

My cats are clustered around me. Their fur catches my tears and Piper chases teardrops down my cheek, which is difficult because she is young and hasn’t learned how to retract her claws. They know I am upset and they don’t like it. I don’t like it either, but I am powerless to stop this freight train that will soon derail off the tracks and into the heavens.

Cherish your friends and if you haven’t recently spoken with them, give them a shout and let them know how pivotal they are in your life. Quickly now, before they slip out of your reach..