Here’s to good friends

Good early morning blogospherians!

Walter Winchell once said “A real friend is one who walks in, when the rest of the world walks out.”

I have to tell you about my friend Cher. If I ever decide to grow up, I want to be like Cher. She is talented, an amazing photographer, intelligent, very funny in that “doesn’t even realize how funny she is” sort of way which makes her even funnier, kind, loyal and generous to a fault.

When I met Cher, it was on the beach. I noticed right away that she walks with a limp, sometimes worse than others. I also noticed several scars (in a bathing suit its hard not to notice scars) so after a few days, I asked her if she’d been in an accident.

“Nope.” She smiled, “I have cancer.”

I know my jaw dropped low enough to scoop sand. I’ve never met anyone with cancer before and all I could say was “I’m sorry.”

She laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to die right here in the waves.” 

Over the last few years I’ve learned that Cher was diagnosed with NHL (Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) at the ripe old age of 26. She under went bone replacement surgery when the cancer manifested its self in her hips and pelvic bone, which is why she limps. She also has scars from other surgeries resulting from the cancer.  She’s been in remission for about 3 years now, but has constant struggles from the side effects of the disease, and other health problems have arisen, including Diabetes, and Congestive Heart Failure.

Now, believe me, Cher never is one to ask for sympathy and I wouldn’t dare try to prompt any for her here. The fact is, she impresses the hell out of me.

When I visited her, I expected to find her taking it easy, doing very little. What I found was a ball of energy who is constantly on the go. When I was there, she and her husband had just bought a house and she was out in her yard, every day, moving rocks and dirt and cutting grass and planting plant things. She also finds time to sew, cook, clean, raise her two children and spend quality time with her four grandchildren, is actively involved in her community and from what I saw when she was around her peer group, people are drawn to her like moths to a flame. Like I said, she impresses me.

So last night, I was browsing around the Internet, instead of working on my designs like I should have been, and I read her blog and became immediately concerned.

I called her and we talked for almost four hours.

Anywhoodles…

I won’t spill the beans about what all is going on with her right now, but I had an idea. I’ve been reading the hopeREVO site, and thought you know maybe I can get people to visit Cher’s siteand just leave her some messages of hope in her in-box. I know she would appreciate it, and I would definitely be grateful! You don’t have to comment on anything she’s posted or written, just leave something HOPEFUL in her box. And if you do, please let me know so I can send you a cute little graphic for your page.

THANKS!

Love always

Chloe Jayne