My BFF

The text reads: Ruth's been my BFF since sixth grade. I was her maid of honor at her wedding, and she declined being mine as she was pregnant with her first son. We lost touch when we both moved a few times. In the last letter I received from her, she said she had an illness that would debilitate her, and she wasn't expected to live past 50. I mailed her a response letter, but it was returned as not able to forward. We re-found each other six years ago, both living not far from where we grew up. We'd aged, but our friendship and conversation took up right where we left off those many years ago. We've mourned the loss of her mother and brother, and celebrated turning 61. Today she's undergoing surgery. She's had cancer all these years, and I hadn't known until six years ago. She's a fighter who's outlived her initial diagnosis by 11+ years, and will continue defying the odds for at least another 11+ years. I am so very proud to call her my BFF!