A RENEWED FRIENDSHIP

“Meet my good friend, Mike,” John said to his roommate.

I cringed. This good friend had not visited or spoken to John for the past five years. How could I deserve such an introduction?

John’s wife, Gail, passed away suddenly on Sunday. John is convalescing at St. John’s Rehab Centre in North York following a second lower leg amputation. This morning was the funeral and I knew John was in no condition to attend. In fact, he suffered a mild heart attack shortly after he was informed about the tragic news of his wife’s passing.

My daughter, Janice, went to elementary and high school with John’s twin daughters Angela and Erica. Though they drifted apart over the years, Erica still kept us in the loop about her family with her Facebook updates. When I suggested that I might visit her dad during the funeral time, Erica seemed delighted her dad would have some company.

I’ve met so many courageous people over the past five months but none like my renewed friend John. He graciously welcomed me to his bedside like a long lost brother. His grief, though palpable, was held at bay as he talked affectionately about his three daughters and granddaughter.

Though it certainly wasn’t a time to share funny stories, John did smile as he related taking his daughter Erica on her first driving lesson in a nearby cemetery. After a thirty minute session, Erica asked her dad what he thought.

John was beaming as he responded, “You’re good to go! You’re a great driver.”

Too bad Erica was only fifteen years old.

John also reminisced about his fifty year career as a barber and shared his secret about where he gets his hair cut. Though he had to temporarily abandon his practice after his first amputation three years ago, he resumed work on a part-time basis until this past January.

He knows that when he leaves hospital, he will face a new set of challenges without the loving support of his wife. Bravely, he vows that he will rise to the occasion and fight tenaciously to overcome any obstacles in his way. Such courage is awesome and again inspires me to be a better version of myself.

Although I didn’t know whether or not John is a religious man, I told him I would pray for him at this difficult time.

Looking at my bald head, he replied, “I’ll pray for you too.”

Thank you, friend.