I went walking with my good friend this morning. First coffee, then wandering down the the beachfront. She talks and I listen all the while. I think she finds it easier to talk when we don’t have eye contact. She has recently come through the chemo fire.
Fortunately, her husband is tremendously supportive. He is also quite alone in this space. He walks ahead of us with my husband, also talking and divulging many things to his older friend. It is therapeutic for both wife and husband and we are good listeners, my husband and I. We listen and we hear.
The subtext is what matters sometimes. Neither of us are giving advice. Well maybe a bit of advice.
[119 words]
five stray minutes 
Great to have you here, Eleanor! Welcome! Nice post; I liked the symmetries.
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Thank you Allison!
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Thanks for your thoughts, Eleanor. Thanks for not always giving advice. I’m sure this makes any advice you give valuable.
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I hope so! I do tend to step back before stepping forward.
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Love “the chemo fire”. Says so much.
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Thank you, it seems to fit her experience. I’m thinking of writing a poem for her likening her to the Phoenix. I’ll see what happens.
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