Ramblings on a remarkable day

They say that each day is a gift to be savored and treasured. I would suggest that some days are more to be endured and hopefully forgotten over time. But today although perhaps unlikely is a day I won't soon forget! I spent today on the road for 4 hours in order to visit a dear friend whose body is rapidly failing her. I say a "dear friend" even though in the 8 years we have known each other we have probably only been together in person less than 30 times! Some people might wonder how a truly close friendship can develop with such a limited number of "get-togethers". I believe that we were friends long before we ever were born on this planet, Earth. There are actually 4 of us who have become QFFs (quilting friends forever) and the diversity of our religions make us sound like the beginning of a really cliche type joke. And yet, the commonality of our faiths have seen us through joys and heartaches over these 8 years. But, I digress. My/our amigo, McP, has fought and vanquished and fought again and again only to be ravaged by a dread opponent that will win the temporary mortal victory over her soon. And so today, I traveled to see my buddy, now residing for the last of her journey in a hospital. I knew from her family that she was "unresponsive" and wasn't able to "acknowledge" anyone's presence. But I went. Determined to make this day count. I came bearing photos of our last two get-togethers- one in August when she and one of the other amigos stayed on a "quilting retreat" at my house for a few days; the other in November when all 4 amigos were together at McP's house because she was too weak to travel. I tried to prepare myself before I found her room but was surprised at the physical changes just in the 2 months since i had seen her. Her facial features were much sharper due to her weight loss, her eyes were a bit sunken and her face was ever so gaunt. Her strong capable hands looked frail as did the rest of her frame. On the two plus hour trip alone in my car to come, I had gone over and over what to say. How would I react if she couldn't respond? I determined that I would have a "regular, normal" visit with her! Her sister was there so I introduced myself and our two other QFFs who were not able to be there. Reminesced about some of our crazy antics! And her eyes twinkled! I knew she was hearing me even though trapped in a body that wouldn't let her respond. Her sister left after an hour, grateful for some respite, and we continued our visit. When I recalled a story that one of the other amigos related the last time we were all together involving Craigslist and the camera feature on a phone that was too smart for her or probably anyone of our generation, not only did her eyes twinkle but there came a full-fledged toothy grin!!! I knew she was able to hear and understand what I was saying! Her sister said that she hasn't been eating and just drinking a little water, so she asked me to help her drink some from a sippie cup. I did and she drank from it as I pressed it to her lips. What a tender moment to experience with her! I asked the nurse about something for her to eat and so she brought red jello and vanilla pudding. My jello failures are notorious and so I teased that the jello probably wouldn't be as good as what I would have made for her. Again, a toothy grin!! We settled on pudding and she had 3 spoonfuls. We/I talked about trying to get our children to eat from a spoon- the airplane manuevers, the fruit first followed by veggies until the kiddos recognized the trick and refused to open their mouths! But she ate 3 spoonfuls- the first and only food all day and this was 1 pm! We talked about our families- our hopes and dreams, our worries. I reminded her that her son loves her and that he has found an occupation in life that he has a talent for and that she could be proud of him. We talked about our friendship and that it will endure past this life and into the next. We talked about her family who have passed on before her who will be as joyous to see her again as we will be dealing with heartache. I told her that in heaven, bobbins will never run out, needles will never break and our stash will be never-ending (or is that part already happening in this life? ) I told her that my heart was breaking at the idea of her leaving us because I/we love her so much. Maybe that's one sign of a true friendship- that you can say the hard things without reserve. Through my tears, I saw tears coming from my dear friend's eyes and as my mouth and chin quivered, hers seemed to be choreographed to mimic mine at precisely the same moment. I told her that I knew without doubt that this life is not the end and that we would see each other again in the next. Was it just me or did I detect a peaceful gaze? I hope so. I had been holding her hand nonstop for just over 3 hours. She was getting tired and I had two hours of driving in front of me, so I kissed her and told her I loved her and that I would return next Monday. Instead of "Tuesdays with Morrie", this may be my "Mondays with McP". Or maybe it will be one Monday in a row. Whatever comes, I am so grateful to have had today to add to the "this day was a treasured gift" ledger!