I have no use for selfish people like that to be a part of my life. The first time I went thru the horrors of being diagnosed with oral cancer, I found out fast who my friends really were. I learned the hard way who I could depend on and what family members ran away as fast as they could. Several people who I was close to promised me over and over that they would help me when I went thru radiation. When the time came they couldnt be bothered and had a million excuses. These same people would called me the day after I finished radiation and asked me if I was better yet and when I was going back to work. I was very hoarse and barely had a voice, but the END button worked very well on my phone. This may sound mean but to this day I can not bring myself to speak to the ones who abandoned me when I needed them the most. Even reading the post brings back those bad memories of my darkest days.

Having cancer changed me where I will be there ready to help my friends and relatives when they need me. I was never one to avoid a sick friend or relative but now I make a greater effort to be there even more. I will make a meal and take to a family where the mom is sick. I will go to the hospital to visit a sick friend even if they are only going to be there a couple days. It means alot to someone who is sick to see a friendly face instead of just doctors and nurses. How I wish everyone learned this lesson of kindness to those in need and saw what their actions meant to someone else. Avoiding a sick person is just plain old selfish.

Anne-Marie, I bet you are a great friend to have! You are right, never put things off cuz you never know how much time a person has. Thanks for posting this Charm.