Today I was informed that a colleague of mine lost her battle with cancer. She was so much more than a colleague to me. She was a friend, confidant, mentor and as she referred to herself, "mom-mom." I was the little Jewish daughter she never had and she was the black mother I never had. I bought her potato starch at passover (because she could never find it) and she taught me about her church and why it meant so much to her. Fortunately, I was able to give her one of M's buddy passes to get her to Memphis last August, for her last retreat with her church. She was ill then, but wouldn't listen when we told her to stay home. It meant the world to her, and to me, knowing what it would've cost her to buy a ticket last minute. We joked about taking off in October, after the College's graduation ceremony, and go to an island for a week. She was ready to pack her bags...I had to be the downer and stay home! She always asked about my girls and their funny stories...she never wanted to talk about her health. She knew I loved her and I knew how she felt about me. She became "family" over the six years we worked together. It makes me think about all of the people in my life that I admire, respect and love, but don't always tell them how I feel. Work isn't supposed to be a place to express those feelings for one another, or is it? Does someone have to be ill to let them know how you feel? I hope not.
Ironically, I was home with AF yesterday because she got sick. I think my friend had a hand in that. You know how people hang on for their loved ones, or pass when someone steps out for a moment? I think she gave AF a stomach bug for the morning, so I wouldn't be surrounded by all the sorrow at the office. I had to deal with it on my own, in my own way. She always taught me to be my own person and not to care what others think.
I know was a bit off topic, but the airline industry is my husband's extend family and the College is mine.
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