Memories of Life

Francine Thomasby Francine Thomas
....I was at my neighbor's house yesterday when my daughter comes over, "Mommy can I see you?" I excused myself and walked outside with her, "Someone wants to see you." I see a car in my drive. As I'm walking towards the car, a young well groomed man emerges. My once best friend who died of cancer many years ago, son gets out. I hugged that young man and I cried and cried; I was sooooo happy to see him and see him looking well.

We reminisced about his mother. He enjoyed hearing the stories. I remember I would take off to go to the doctor with her, because she swore she couldn't understand the doctor. I would write a list of questions; she and I would go well prepared.

At the point of her having to go to chemo, (she had breast cancer), I acted like it was no big deal; "Girl lets just hurry up so we can go eat or shop...but I was scared as hell too. She would sit in the chair and get her I-V. I'd sit next to her reading my book and telling her about it, "back then I'd read the racy nasty novels, and she'd listen intently, (lol). She counted on me to be strong, but the tears I cried for my friend were immeasurable.

When her hair began to come out, she had looong beautiful hair, I bought her an afro wig, she was like my sister, she ain't want nappy hair. So I bought her a long flowery 'European' wig (she was happy then), lol!

As time passed she'd get sick overnight they would take her to the hospital, they'd call and let me know. I'd go to the hospital, having cried all the way, get there not a tear in sight, tellin' her to stop trying to get attention. I remember buying all kinds if sexy lingerie telling her she was going to need it, she loved it. I remember going in my closet giving her my 'best' after 5 dresses and gowns. I was 2 sizes bigger than she was (lol). I just wanted my friend happy and well and never lose faith.

I would secretly pay her power, cable, water bills - never ever told her it was me. I would say "Girl, you got some guy paying ya bills and you don't want me to know who he is." She would get such a kick out of that. Once bought her a silk sheet set telling her that Queens don't sleep on cotton. I remained me, and that's something I would say or do if she wasn't sick - never felt sorry for her, I was confident she was going to be okay. I talked about what we were going to do when she was done with all that chemo stuff (aintnobodygottimeforthat), my friend later died.

I never mentally prepared myself for that. My husband consoled me best he could but I was distraught beyond his understanding.


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At her burial a lil old (very old) lady stopped me and said "baby is you Francine?" I said "Yes ma'am." Her face lit up, she said, "Pam talked 'bout you ery mornin. She ain know how sheda made it, you helpin out payin her bills 'n such." Between my tears I started laughing' she knew, and yet never told me. Here I am thinking I'm keeping a secret, saying to her "See God works in mysterious ways, just like he's doing that miracle, he's going to perform another one IN your body."

My friend left a little boy that she ADORED! If the choice was hers she would have never left. NOW that little boy is a young man who will be apart of my life from yesterday forward. Though God didn't restore my friend in good health, as I prayed and begged him to, I still have Faith and I still know he's able.