Make that Call

Last week I spent an evening with a friend whose wife had died recently. Our eye condition had brought us together 15 years ago - crazy schedules, distance, illness in their family led to us losing touch for several years. I had heard his wife was ill and kept meaning to call her. Time went by and she died this past April. I didn't hear about it until about 6 weeks later. We began to reconnect through email and phone calls and eventually meeting at a central location that was easy to get to by the bus. We had a lovely dinner and plan to do so again. I shared with him the following experience that I wish I would of been able to share with his wife.

I remember her coming to our home when our kids were young. It was shortly after I had quit driving and I was feeling overwhelmed with my abilities as a mom. She came into our home and in her kind and loving way she complimented me on my abilities as a mom and as a homemaker. She told me she hoped her daughter (who had recently been diagnosed with RP) would be like me. At that point, that meant the world to me. I remember saying something like 'really?? oh, thank you.' Her sincerity, love and support to me was so appreciated. I wish I could of told her this before she died ...

As he and I sat there that evening, we laughed and cried. Her life was cut so short at age 46. I can't make up for that missed call ... that note of appreciation I wish I had of written but once again I can be reminded to write, call, email the next time I think of someone before its too late.

As we were talking - he mentioned a few different times - I think I told her I loved her that morning. I am sure he did - their love was deep. She, like my Steve, helped him through the challenging days of RP.