THANK YOU

A Friend

A person who will listen and not condemn,
Someone on whom you can depend.
They will not flee when bad times are here;
Instead they will be there to lend an ear.
They will think of ways to make you smile
So you can be happy for a while.
When times are good and happy thereafter
They will be there to share the laughter.
Do not forget your friends at all
For they pick you up when you fall.
Do not expect to just take and hold.
Give friendship back, it is pure gold..

I had nothing but “pure gold” this past week as I read the emails, notes and blog comments about my recent melanoma. Every one of them wished me good luck and conveyed sweet thoughts.  They were my special band-aids and they worked.

All is well. My stitches have been removed. The diagnosis is excellent. My “margins” are clean! Melanoma is in my rear view mirror. Sunscreen is in my purse and on my face.

I am left with a long, and hopefully fading, scar below my left ear, plus the memory of friends like you who took the time and cared enough to send good wishes. I savored every word!

The poem above by Gillian Jones, a contemporary Australian poet, captures my emotions.

I’ll be back next week with stuff to ponder and write about in my blog. Until then, know that your friendship and love mean the world to me. xxx Val