76 Years
As you all know I work in a hospice I am used to watching people closely And today I was privileged to watch one old friend say goodbye to their lifelong friend. I noticed the moment when no one else did. I noticed it because I was looking for it Unless you are Scarlett O'Hara saying her goodbyes to the saintly Melanie I think friends can be slightly overlooked in the access to their chums in the dying process as family members often take centre stage and today I watched the briefest of a hand hold and a brave kiss on a forehead before the family took things over I followed the visitor outside and asked if they were alright " Seventy six years" they said quietly with tears in their eyes " we've been friends for over seventy six years," And I nodded an acknowledgement " Seventy years is special " I said lamely " That it is !" The visitor said and we shook hands carefully before they walked head down across the car park