I went for a final walk with my friend today,
and tried to say “Good bye”.
We spoke at length on our two hour walk,
and yet so much was left unsaid.
She and her husband are leaving their home,
and three of their children,
to go to Dublin with their young son,
for a long awaited bone marrow transplant.
They will be gone for up to three months.
As we walked along, chatting non stop as usual,
on a glorious sunny morning,
we tried to act normal.
But what is normal in this situation?
We spoke of the accommodation,
the procedure, the side effects,
and the return home.
Of consultants, nurses, friends and good wishes,
prayers and expectations.
We laughed as we always did,
and joked about nothing in particular.
Then just for one moment,
it all became too much.
Not for my friend who is so very strong,
but for me.
I felt overwhelmed by all she had ahead of her,
and how much I would miss our walks together.
I struggled and bit my tongue,
looked around and tried frantically to think of other things.
But I was not as strong as her,
my mental diversion failed miserably,
and I could not help those silent tears from falling.
As we walked on looking forward,
I battled for control.
Self indulgent hot tears streaming down my face.
For a few minutes I thought my friend was fooled,
and perhaps was not aware of my weakness.
Then suddenly mid sentence she turned to me,
and reached across to wipe my tears.
In that moment,
on that isolated country walk,
under the bluest of skies,
we hugged each other tightly,
silently sharing without words,
all that we could not say.
Then the moment passed,
and off we went.
Two friends chatting non stop,
on a walk under the bluest of skies.
Two friends who in that moment,
had said all they needed to say.
© Copyright Chris Reynolds and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
My thoughts on a page. 
That is how it is with a friend. 🙂
Yes, friendship is wonderful.
Beautiful friendship.x
Thank you. In life it is often the hard times shared, that glue you together.
This was your best one yet. Well, except for the one with the mess of cows all over the place of course.
Jesus Don I am in shock. A non smart comment!
Thanks a million. I did hesitate before I published but at the moment her situation is all consuming for us.
My brother will be delighted to know he has a staring role in your other top choice!
Thanks again your comment on this particular piece means a lot to me.
Geez, what did you think I was going to say about two Irish ladies hugging each other in the privacy of a wooded area, Giggity?
Oh you never let me down! 🙂
I don’t think your tears were self indulgent. I think they were tears full of everything you and your friend couldn’t say. And they were tears of unspoken words. Well wishes and thoughts for your friends, may all be well in their world.
Thank you. It is hard not to see my tears as self indulgent when you see how amazing she and her husband are, not to mention their handsome son.
Next week Wed 17 th a girl from the US will donate bone marrow which will be sent to Ireland, and on Friday 19th he will receive it and hopefully get a full life back once more!
I think, being in your friend’s shoes, I would be amazed at the depth of love and hope and prayers my friends were giving me. Maybe your tears are fuel for her strength. I do pray for your young friend. I look forward to hearing how he is.
Hopefully we will have great news and come Christmas the whole blogosphere will join us as we party! 🙂
do we have to wait till Xmas to party ? 😆
Ha ha. Is that a bit too far away for you? 🙂
And just like friends do, you will pick right back where you left off as if you never missed a beat… 🙂
How very true! I am looking forward to it already.
How beautiful. You painted a picture with your words.
Thank you. It was a difficult day. Fingers crossed!
You made me cry. Wishing your friend all the best on this journey.
🙂 We have shed a few tears ourselves over the past seven months. Hopefully these are among our last! Thank you for stopping by.
I had to dry my eyes as I read your post. You have every right to shed tears, Chatter Master is right, sometimes the tears we shed for our friends are the ones that they can’t shed themselves because they are so numb.
May you live a long life
Full of gladness and health,
With a pocket full of gold
As the least of you wealth.
May the dreams you hold dearest,
Be those which come true,
The kindness you spread,
Keep returning to you.
Sending prayers for your friend and her son.
Thanks so much for your kind comment. I love your poem. My friend will be most appreciative of your prayers. Thank you.
I wish I could take credit for the poem, but I found it on a website for Irish Blessings. Unfortunately, there wasn’t an author listed. I hope your friends trip is going well and her little one is doing good.
Doesn’t matter the source it was lovely and I know now she is trapped in a room in Dublin my friend will read it.
He is doing well and hopefully this day next week will be the beginning of a new life!
WOW that was powerful. I hope all goes well for her family. I dont have words either.
Thank you. Your comment is enough! Fingers crossed. Somehow all they are going through shrinks any troubles we have.
oh, so beautiful. Now I have tears spilling over…
I’m sending my prayers for healing with grace for your friend’s son, and for the whole family. I can imagine that your friend appreciated you being your authentic self, and not pretending that this is some insignificant event, or that you’re not feeling anything…I know that as I talked with friends during my daughter’s cancer treatment, I did not want superficial or artificial responses, nor did I want sympathy or pity, but true compassion and love, humor, and authenticity with awareness, which is exactly what you offer to her. She is lucky to have you as a friend!
Thank you so much. Your comment means a lot to me.
tears fall from silent eyes. friends reach out with care. nothing more need be said. best of luck to your friend and her family )
Thank you. As we say at last they are going up for what is hopefully the cure. The odds are hugely in their favour. So hopefully this is the beginning of the end of the nightmare they are in.
Emotional stuff. You got my morning coffee all salty 😦
Aw sorry about that. It is a bit all consuming in our lives at the moment! 🙂
B*gger – I’m reading this at work
Luckily no one else is in yet to see the tears ! 😳
A deeply emotional post, tric
Hope all goes well for your friend’s son and that there are many happy days to come !
You old softie! Hopefully all will go great. Whilst we have cried we do not do it often.
All fingers and toes crossed in anticipation of the fantastic partying that will take place when they return. Science is truly amazing!
Thank you for sharing such a private and moving moment. My thoughts are with both families and you.
Thank you. It is a day we have longed for but it is also a nervous time. I will pass on your wishes to my friend.
So poignant, brought me to tears (I hate for people to cry alone!).
\o/
Thank you. Good of you to share our tears!
You are growing every day. As a writer, a mother, a friend, a wife, a person, a woman. Well done. I also send a healing hug to your friend and hope the transplant works.
Thank you. This blogging has definitely greatly improved my writing. Thank you for the good wishes for my friend. It will be so great to have her son back well. There is something so wrong in seeing a young child so sick. I will pass on your healing hug.
Beautiful words, beautiful friendship and I pray all goes well for your friend…
Lauren xx
Thank you so much. They have arrived in the hospital so as she says herself one day down! She will appreciate your prayers thank you.
Amazing poem and so very true. When you are with your closest friends you rarely need a lot of words to communicate. Your friend and her family are in my thoughts and prayers with best wishes and positive thoughts for an effective procedure and fast healing! xx
Thank you so much. They are on day two. All waiting for the big day next week and a big thank you to his young fantastic US girl who is donating next Wednesday.
That is incredible! So happy they found a donor! Keep us posted on how it all turns out!
I will do!
So lovely… *hugs*
Thank you. Until she is home I find it too sad to read this.