Good-Bye

Thirty years and about six months ago I came into this world.  Six days after that my mum's good friend came made her appearance.  My mum and her friend and our dads spent many late nights in the weekend together.  Listening to records and drinking too much.  Dancing and laughing.  We kiddies would play in the bedroom with dolls, up the road at the park or sneak into the lounge to sneak a bit of late night telly (wrestling or Married with Children, back in the days when television finished up at night and everyone went to bed).  Mum and I, and then Mum and I and my little sister too would visit often for coffee and play dates.  During the week we'd often go out 'visiting' as a family, all four of us (Mum, Dad, me and sis).  This family was the most often visited for years.  We'd camp with this family.  I guess there wasn't much we didn't do with them.  We were close enough to fight.  To sulk.  To share secrets with.  To throw tantrums at. 

When I was ten my family moved far away.  It was at least one plane ride away.  Or a car/bus/train trip then a ferry and then back in a car.  That is quite a distance and money always makes these things more impossible.  We kept in touch.  My family visited a couple of times.  Their family once.  When I was a teen I moved closer (just an over night bus ride away).  I visited every couple of months for a couple of years.  I never asked if I could stay.  I just turned up and stayed as long as I wanted.  I was fed.  I had a mum to spill my guts to.  I was loved. 

Today I found out that the mum in this family is dying.  She has battled cancer for a long time.  She has fought hard.  She has been brave and courageous as only a mum and nana can.  Now she is losing the battle.  She cannot talk and I cannot be there to say good bye.  I have sent many messages to her in the last year sharing my positive thoughts and cheering her on through her battle. Today I have cried like a baby for a dear friend and for all the big parts of my childhood she has been a part of.   My thoughts are with her and her pained family.  She has been a mother in so many ways to so many people.  An amazing women with an amazing tale to tell.  She has loved and been loved.  She had been caring and funny.  Shy yet popular.  Practical and hopeful.  I hope her final journey is safe and her landing place in the next world is soft.  I will miss her and for the rest of my life be thankful for the time and I have shared with this women and the little bits of her that have influenced my life.  I wish her peace. 

Safe journey my friend x

Sunset, Piha, Auckland NZ