Sunday, July 13, 2008

E is for the Elephant ... in the Room



A dear blogfriend and kindred spirit, M. from the Cornhusker State, received some bad medical news last week. I read the words and my heart sank. She's a brilliant writer with a wonderful, passionate voice that rings out ... especially in the whispers you stop to hear. I fear for the worst. She says no sympathy please. She'd rather not talk about the elephant in the room.

To fill the awkward silence, all I have are a few small, ridiculous words that don't mean anything at all. I don't know what else to do but change the subject and hope for the best. She smiles and leaves me with a kind word and a smile. I'm so thankful for it.

Now we are ignoring her elephant and making the best of it. Zirelda was absolutely right - sometimes that's all we can do for each other.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh Skeeter...this elephant makes me very sad my friend! And this image evokes some pain for me as well. This is how I felt when told I had the big 'C' word!
Yep...that same elephant creeped into the house. And we all tried to move the furniture and watch TV around him...but...eventually I needed to address that elephant!
When your friend is ready she will...she is in my prayers and thoughts! Hugs to you dear friend!
Hugs,
Robyn

zirelda said...

And E is for empathy which leads to love so often and is not sympathy thank heavens.

I agree with every word of your post Skeeter.

Lavinia said...

I hope that particular elephant is defeated....

Suzanne said...

I write this with love and hope. Life is hard and often unkind. Hopefully everything will work out and your dear friend will find her way and her health. If not, Random Chick said something to me after the fire at the park, and although I won't quote her, I'll paraphrase, life is a cycle and you have to accept it. I haven't found a way to do that yet, but I guess eventually I will. So do we all.

With love and hope,
Me