They are the flowers that come back year after year, the ones that always bloom.
The rose might be the most faithful floral of all.
Image update. Paul Militaru.
We have been best friends for over 30 years. We met through work, followed our husbands’ career, but bonded on a very different level than they did.
We moved our families together to four different geographic areas.
She is the one I called when I went into labor in the middle of the night; she took care of my toddler until family arrived.
We have seen each other through pregnancies, child rearing, financial concerns, health issues, rumors of infidelity.
We’ve shared friends, vacations, laughter and sorrow, life.
A few years ago, they sold their home, moved to Georgia to be closer to grandchildren. Soon after, she moved her aging parents from Michigan, building them a home on an adjacent lot. The oldest of 8 children, in her words, “it’s just what you do.”
She called me last week, there was a different tone in her voice, so I waited.
She has skin cancer.
An avid boat enthusiast, gardener, camper, swimmer, she has always been in her element when outdoors. We spoke often of trips to the dermatologist, the many “things” that met with lasers, all of which were deemed safe at the time.
It started with a cut on her hand that would not heal. She called me the day before the stitches were to be removed. They told her they got it all.
I am praying that they were right.
Her name is Rose.
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Image update. By permission of fellow blogger and amazing photographer, Paul Militaru.
vanbytheriver 
This is a beautiful testament to a wonderful friendship. I hope your friend stays well.
Thank you so much, Deb. ❤️
Sending healing thoughts to your friend Rose. And to you in supporting her.
Lovely, thank you. 🌹
Beautiful ! 🙂
Thanks for the image, Paul.☺ I’ve updated the post. ❤️
🙂
Lovely post, Van. Sending prayers and good wishes for your friend! ❤
So appreciate it. 🌹
I am praying for your friend Rose dear Van.. and friends like that are hard to come by.. Such a blessings she has been to you.. May it now be her turn to be blessed..
Love and well wishes being sent.
Sue ❤
There is a poem, Sue, about friends who come into your life for a “reason, season or lifetime”…She is a lifetime, and they are rare. Thanks.
Yes very rare indeed Van.. xxx
Beautiful Post ❤
Thank you so much. 🌹
I pray they are right too, Van. ❤
Diana xo
She is surrounded by family, they will support her through it all. But, I miss her, all the time. Thanks, Diana.
Prayers sent for your friend. I hope that she is ok.
Me too, Rob, me too.🌹 Thanks.
Van, she is so lucky to have you as her friend. 💕
On a very practical note, there are 3 different kinds of cancer of the skin, with different risks. The first and lowest risk is basel cell – which usually show up over time and exposure to the sun as precancerous “things’ that get burned off. The next type is squamous cell, which has a slightly higher risk of spreading. The third is melanoma – which is extremely risky that usually appears from moles that start to grow.
All three must be taken seriously, even although the first is fairly common and easily treatable. I would recommend you search the internet and find out from your friend exactly what it is.
Just to let you know, that’s what I did to support my husband!
If you want to connect separately I’d be happy to share by email. valboyko@icloud.com
Hugs to you and Rose ❤️
Thanks so much for the valuable info, Val. I do have another friend whose husband has been in melanoma treatment for a few years now. I’m so sorry if your husband is affected. It’s a tough one. I was a bit in shock at the info, and failed to ask the right question. I will,though. Thanks again. 💛 💙 💜
Hope your friend is okay, Van.
So do I, Julie, thanks for your support. 💛
I’m sorry to hear this Van. Keeping your friend, and you, in my heart and prayers.
My step-daughter who is almost 27 now had skin cancer at age 9, then again at age 13. She is a thriving young woman with plenty to look forward to.
I feel your pain.
Much love.
That’s so interesting, Sawsan, you don’t often hear of children being affected. I suspect those pediatric care visits might have spotted the problem early for her. That’s wonderful. 💘 Thanks for sharing.
No!
Her mother spotted the first on the side of her face by her ear at age 9.
I spotted the one, two actually, on her back while doing her hair for a party.
Wow. Incredible…both times. You were blessed.
Blessings to you and your friend.
❤️
She has a wonderful friend in you. That’s why she called you. She is lucky to have you. My best wishes to your friend and of course, you, Van. Hug you 💖
Very sweet, Erika, but not surprising coming from you. Thanks always. 💕
You are selflessly writing about your friend but it mustn’t be overlooked that you suffer with her 💖💖
💔
💖💖💖
Van, what a lovely tribute to your friend Rose. It’s important to know the different types of skin cancer, and treatment options. Good that a blogger friend has commented on that! So important to have non-healing lesions checked by a dermatologist! I had one and luckily it was a basal cell. Surgery was extensive, however successful! It can be frightening! Healing thoughts for Rose! Paul’s rose photo is a beautiful touch to your post. 💛 Elizabeth
It is probably more common than we know, Elizabeth. Glad yours turned out ok. I usually freckle and burn, but grew up trying to tan. Those Coppertone years when we were told that a tan was healthy. I’m very watchful. And Paul’s rose…showed up on my Reader just after I posted. He was gracious to have me use it on there. Thanks. 💕
I hope so too. Two and a half years ago, I was diagnosed with early melanoma. They operated and got it all, but they’re careful and the cancer-free “margin” wasn’t wide enough, so they operated again. I have been cancer free. So will Rose be, I hope.
That’s so encouraging, happy for your great results. Thanks for sharing, Elyse. 💕
😊
Beautiful post, Van. With the summer season approaching, I think I have tweeted about skin cancer three times now – including a gallery of skin cancer images. I certainly hope your friend is okay… melanoma, as you know, spreads. Basal cell is in my family, so I am very careful with my skin and self exams. My dad had a patch on his ear and had it removed just last week! Hopefully your friend’s was caught early enough. xo
The wound that did not heal…she nursed for almost 2 years. I’m hoping she was not to late to deal with it, Kelly. Thanks. ❤️
Will keep her in my thoughts and prayers ❤
I’m lending my best prayers, too, Van. Your thoughtful post reached my heart and soul.
Thanks, Mark. She is special to me. ❤️
Wonderful post. Best wishes to your friend for good health. 💛
Thank you, Tonya. 💘
Van – You are blessed to have a Rose in your life. True friends are so special. Best wishes and prayers for Rose that they are right.
Thank you, Pamela, and welcome. Love your blog name. 🐝
Glad to follow.
Praying for your friend
So grateful…thanks, Nimi. ❤️
You are fortunate to have found such a special person to be part of your life. Something tells me the relationship is mutual. I hope her recovery is quick and the two of you can go back to enjoying the lives you deserve.
Thanks, Doc, for the kindness in your comment. ❤️
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend, sending positive thoughts, and wishes for a full and speedy recovery. 🙂
This really hit home for me, it made me cry.
Thank you for sharing this.
Hope this weekend treats you well. 🙂
I’d say I am sorry for the tears, but more than that, I’m honored by the tears. Thanks, Donna. ❤️ 💔
I’m fine with crying, it’s just emotions leaking out and they’re real so, thank you. 🙂
What a lovely testament to friendship, and I’m sure it’s a great comfort to Rose that she can call you and feel your love and support. Those longtime friendships are something sacred. So sorry to hear about her health scare. I hope her treatment is successful and all is well for years to come. ❤
Those friendships are indeed sacred. Thanks for you always kind thoughts, Diana. 💛 💙 💜
I truly hope that they got it all. Rose sounds like a beautiful soul Van and such friends should stay on as long as forever. I wish her well and you too.
Very sweet sentiment, Jacqueline. Thanks so kindly. ❤️
My pleasure Van 🙂
Maybe the cut was a blessing in disguise. Let’s hope so
I was thinking the same, Derrick. Thanks. 💖
Thanks for telling us about your friend! What a lovely post I hope she is well! xx
Thanks, Lynn. 💘
Prayers and the very best thoughts for your friends recovery. What a beautiful friendship.
It surely is, and thank you, George. ❤️
It seems so unfair to be felled or laid low from doing so something you love, something which seems not only harmless but Iinherently *healthy.*
So true, Colette. She didn’t try, but she always managed to be tan. I freckle, burn and peel. Hence, jealous. But it was my early warning system, forcing me to avoid the sun, at least after we all lived through that Coppertone era. ☺ Thanks.
Sending love and prayers to you and your friend Rose xx
Many thanks, Lisa. 💘
I hope so too!
My dad had some removed a few times, over the course of several years. He has a big outdoor life as well. He was 70 by then, so I didn’t worry too much.
Around the same time he had his last batch removed, though, my friends began having skin cancer removed, some sun-worshipers, sure, but others, not. All around my own age. It was then I began to wear hats religiously.
It’s much more scary and common than people let on. When your friends are wearing fresh scars, it does make it more real.
When we lived in Georgia, I wore sunscreen every single time I went out for more than getting the mail. There were so many dermatologists there. Ugh.
Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, I burned and peeled every summer…the age of the Coppertone baby. I am always vigilant now, and SPF is a way of life. ☺