Friends. We all have them. What does
friendship mean to you? How do you define a good friend? I guess we would all have different answers. What’s important to me does not necessarily sit high in the rankings for you. We also have friends and ‘friends’. There are those that will be by our side for the rest of our days and there are work chums, social meet up buddies etc. There are friends we will never meet in person; social media hook ups, pen pals. We can build up great relationships and share common ground, learn all about their country, etc. The support that can be gained from a friend that you will never meet in person can be invaluable. The fellow patients and carers/friends/family that I have met through the support network charity The Ann Edgar Charitable Trust has been just fantastic. We meet , talk about all sorts, support each other and friendships have developed. To be honest I never thought I was one for sitting in a room full of sick folk, that want to chat about their condition, but actually making the effort to go out on a chilly evening, have a blether and a cuppa and most of the time a jolly good laugh. I usually always go home in a much better frame of mind and feeling a whole lot better than when I woke up that morning.
For those of you that have read my blog you will know that family is the most important thing in my life. I’m the youngest of five. The closest to me is Hazel with a 6 year age gap. The other 4 are closer tother in age. Mum and I developed a great friendship, from a young age she took great interest in activities at school etc. I remember running home from school eager to tell her all about my day. Mum and I spoke every day, even when I got married. Perhaps it was just a short phone call, but the blether would take place non the less. Mum died 5 years ago there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of her and miss that conversation.
I have talked in previous blog posts about friends. As someone who can no longer drive and with numerous problems such as fatigue, hypos, pain, etc. Friendship is extremely important. Now as adults, I’m no longer that kid hanging on to my sister Hazel’s skirt and we are great pals with wonderful support. Support and help has came in different ways from different ways . Two friends that I value, really care about and have been particularly helpful over the last year are Sally and Louise. My husband, Steve, is the best friend you could ask for. We spend a lot of time together and never seem to tire of each others company.
There is a pal that I haven’t spoken about in my blogs. On leaving high school I decided to go to university in Edinburgh. on my first day I met this quiet country girl from Callendar. We hit it off instantly. At the end of year one I decided to leave auld reekie and study in the city of discovery, Dundee. This in no way hampered our friendship, we remained friends through studying in different cities, marriage, the birth of both of us having our sons. Both of us are god mother to our first born. Tony now 30 and Scott in his 20’s, my how time has flown. Jennifer was sitting on my sofa a couple of weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon chatting away with Steve and I. Just the three of us, it could have been 34 years ago, with the exception of some of the conversation subjects. Amongst other things, We had the 4 lads to talk about, Tony, Stuart, Scott and Cameron. Over the years Jen has been a great loyal friend. Someone I can trust, share a problem or a secret with. In the early 1990’s when I needed breast surgery, Jennifer came early in the morning to give me a lift to the hospital, physical and emotional support before the op, just what a pal needs. While my poor hubby was rushing around with two youngsters. When Steve was getting his radiotherapy a trip to the country club for one week was organised by Jennifer, really appreciated it. Since this diagnosis, Jen has been a great pal; known her place. Text enough, but not too much. Visited when I’ve been ‘ill’ in hospital. visited us at home but kept away when she thought we need space. You know your pal is your pal when you don’t feel you have to put on a face, or tidy up for them visiting. You aren’t embarrassed if you can’t afford the bill and you can tell them. We are made of similar cloth and I’m definitely not afraid to say anything in front of Jennifer. Still a pal after all these years. Thanks.
smile each and every day 