Maria was my son's friend's mom. That is how she became my friend too. We would drop kids' at each others' for play dates, buy gifts for each others' kids, shared school notes, and i usually called her for French. She knew French and I didn't. Greek by birth, Canadian by upbringing, she worked to realise other people's dream of moving to Canada.
One summer, they went to Canada...but never came back. We wondered why the kids were missing school, and wondered if they were planning to move back to canada. Trying to reach her, I had the opportunity to speak to her husband. I can only imagine the shock they would have all been in when they discovered mid-holiday that maria had cancer,and it was terminal.
I had no words to console the family....the fight was going to be long and hard. Honestly, my prayers were more for her kids, who were very young and needed their mom for a long long time. I wanted Maria to get well soon for them, first.
I gathered to courage to speak to Maria one day and expressed my deepest hope that she would be fine...she seemed tired but was pulling it along.
My phone was stolen in the coming months and i lost her contact details. Thanks to FB, I got in touch with many other long lost frineds, but Maria- she was not on FB. She was still on my mind, as i wondered how was she doing, hoping that she was alright and her kids were happy. As i searched for her again on FB today, I found a group in her memory.........She died last January after a long battle with cancer.
Unfair, cruel---the first two words that cropped up in my mind for the power that lets a person die at 42! I wondered about her kids- the awesome boy my son had befriended and the responsible, vibrant elder sister of his. I hope they will learn to live their lives in her absence...with their Dad by their side.
Maria, may you rest in peace. You will always be missed! My prayers are always there for you, and your family.
