In praise of friends

Thank you to everyone. Gill's funeral was a week ago now, and it is astounding how quickly time goes. I drove past her house today feeling so sad, but the absolute rawness is gone now and I can now think of her (usually) without tears and sometimes with a smile.

Cherish your friends folks

Sorry to hear your sad news.

Dear Whitewave

So sorry, hope you are beginning to feel better. A difficult loss, friends can be wonderful and special.

A very dear friend died of cancer over 20 years ago when we were both 40. I still think of her, and miss her.

Do keep all the good memories. ?

I too had such a friend. I travelled by trains and buses to say goodbye to her in the hospice and to thank her for her wonderful friendship. Other friends said how could you go all that way just to spend a few minutes with her and than come home again, but to me that was a journey I was so glad to have taken.

Oh OP I'm so so sorry. I love my best friend for over 40 years more than I love most of my family and would be totally bereft without her.

ww what a lovely evocation of friendship! Have only just had the chance to read this through and learn of your friend's death.
Do pass on your thoughts to her family and be there for them, as I am sure you plan to be.
Hugs to you. I have been there, too.

Whitewave I am so sorry to hear your news.It must be heartbreaking for you.

Beside my keyboard I have a coaster that says "Between me and insanity stands my friends" and over the years it has proved so true.

One of my friends started school the same day as me, we have been pals for 62 years. She lives a long way away, but we chat on the phone, meet up when we can and send each other silly texts. She is a rock in my life.

I wish you well. Cake and wine are lovely and there for a reason just like this one, so enjoy.

So sorry, it's so sad to lose someone who has been part of your life, I hope memories of good times you had together will help, not now but later on

The memories are so precious; think of the happy days and not the end, and my thoughts are with you.

It is so hard when we lose a "kindred spirit" - you will have memories to treasure.

I've only just seen this, whitewave, how sad you must be feeling. Those who've shared our lives through the decades are very precious, whether they're family or good friends. Thinking of you in your sadness

Sorry to hear your sad news, there is a very true saying "you can choose your friends but not your family" it sounds as if your friend was very special

Friendships are so precious, my thoughts are with you.

Day 2 and more together today. Was in bits yesterday, but pulled myself together more today. Gill was a strong character, and would always shake herself and refuse to let things get her down, thus her 8 year fight with terminal cancer, so I'm following her lead.

Unfortunately because all my friends were older than me I have outlived them all and I miss them all.

My best friend, whom I shared a flat with in our youth, has Altzheimers. She lives about 70 miles away, so I can't see her very often, although we used to meet regularly half way. When I ring I don't think she knows who I am, but says she will ring me next time and of course doesn't. I would love it if her daughters would keep me posted, but they don't, so it's all very upsetting. As with all dementia, you feel you've lost them but you haven't.

So sorry whitewaveFriend and I had a very similar 'conversation on FB only yesterday

Condolences Whitewave. Such a thought provoking post too. It made me think about my friends, how important they are to me and how I should appreciate them more. Thank you and to you.

Yes, whitewave, as the others have said, what a sweet post and loving statement to your dear friend and friehdship. My best friend from childhood drifted in and out of my life as we had our families etc, and now I have lived in Europe and the UK for more than 20 years, but thanks to technology we now speak for an entire hour every single weekend and she is such a lifeline for me at this time of life. I don't know which of us will go first (I suspect I will) but I cannot imagine life without her.
RIP to your friend, and hugs from us at GN

You will miss her whitewave good friends are so very special. Its early days, take your time, cry, laugh, get angry perhaps, but when the time is right remember happy times spent together.

I would put family first 'in the scheme of things' but, I tell you there's as little as thin tissue paper between them and my friend. Treasure your memories whitewave. We are so lucky to have had the pleasure and privilege of a 'Besty'. Thinking of you.......

Heartfelt condolences on your very sad loss.

So very sorry to hear of your dear friend's passing

So sorry to hear of your friend's death, whitewave. I daren't think about losing my one and only close friend here. Though I suspect I'll go before her.
My husband is my close friend too, but obviously not tuned in so much to women's talk and problems .

Thinking of you x