My girlfriend wanted to go to the dunes this summer.
To walk the beach with family, to watch the gentle waves lap at the shore, to sip cocktails with the rest of the girlfriends while perched upon a striped beach towel with her toes digging into the sand, to laugh and reminisce and savor the dwindling summer hours before back-to-school consumed us all.
Like she does every summer.
A simple enough wish, yes?
But it was not to be this year. For now, cancer is having its way with her lungs. The wheelchair doesn’t traverse well over sandy shoals, the oxygen tank would be cumbersome to roll along the shores of Lake Michigan, and the physicians frowned upon the idea of her being too far from home…or from a hospital, for that matter.
One of the girlfriends helped make light of the situation by pointing out that the Michigan Dunes were temporarily closed anyway due to a gaping sink hole. We laughed half-heartedly at this strange twist of fate before once again furrowing our brows at the larger problem at hand. The struggle that is wearing our dear friend out. The battle that has consumed our hearts and prayers for the past eighteen months.
But.
This is a creative group that I run with.
And sometimes a spark of creativity
is all you need
to turn hopelessless into a smile…
…or even into a laugh.
And so we brought the dunes to our dear friend a few days ago. We laughed and reminisced and savored the dwindling hours of summer.
And in my eyes? It was every bit as lovely as the shores of Lake Michigan.
Linking with Shell and with Angie.
OMG! I got chills reading this. I hope my fiends would be as amazing as all of you!!! My mom died from ovarian cancer over 20 years ago so I definitely get it. This is such an amazing (and simple!) thing you all did. Wow. I’m overwhelmed.
Allie? SHE is amazing. Always has been the life of the party.
Took my breath away. Friends are Earthly angels. I’m sure she loved it all!!!
Agreed, Mindy. From one angel to another. Different pools, same toes. xoxoxo
Beautiful, Sue. What an amazing group of friends you have and how appropriate that you are part of such a group.
I feel fortunate to be included among them, Suzanne. They are truly inspiring.
This is so beautiful! You are an amazing friend! I wanted to cry reading it. I am sure she absolutely loved it. There truly is nothing like good friends.
This group is amazing. And yes…good friends are priceless, Michelle.
Lovely, touching. You are a great friend! Sending best wishes and prayers…….
Thank you, Ali. So good to “see” you here!
Two things:
First: this party idea is brilliant. Second, the reason for this party ideas is absolutely beautiful and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by, Angie. Much appreciated.
So touching, you guys are amazing friends!!!
Yup. I pick the best of the best of the best, Catherine.
Even better than Lake Michigan because nobody got swallowed up by a sink hole. You do run with a creative bunch. Love the sandal cookies! And prayers and love to your friend. Talk about spirit, Light, and laughter with your friend! I love her and clearly she is loved by many. May God bless you all (and your very fancy parties!)
Thanks, friend. Today hurts, so I needed to hear that.
That was truly lovely.
Everyone should have friends like you, at their backs, in a fight. You are amazing.
This is an amazing group of women, Meg. I’m honored to call them girlfriends.
You and the group are just amazing. Everyone should have a group of girlfriends like you ladies. Stay strong Sue. Hugs
You get what you give, right? As you know…J. gave lots. xx
Sue,
What a great story and what a great party. She was so lucky to have all of you and to be surrounded by your friendships. That party is exactly the party she would have planned…
Love and hugs,
Lee Ann
It amazes me how perfect the timing was, LeeAnn. Not a day too late.
What a wonderful thing to do for a friend. Made me cry LOL. I need a tissue. thank you for the inspiration. I am praying for your friend,
Thanks, Mary. The prayers are very much appreciated.
What a lovely thing to do for a friend!
She would have done the same for any of us in a heartbeat, Shell.
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Ditto what they all said … and it was so beautifully written, my friend. So, so sweet. Prayers for your girlfriend…
Thanks, babe. How I’ve missed you!!
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She is so lucky to have amazing friends like you!
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