[2023-08-23] Friendship pyjamas
Chris and I are volunteering at the Nostalgia Music Festival in Ottawa tonight, so I wanted to publish tonight's post early.
A friend sent me the most gorgeous Bedhead pyjamas today. They are soft and brightly coloured. They suit my mood: positive, undefeated and confident that everything will work out in the end. This same friend bought me a pair of Bedhead pyjamas when I started my cancer journey three years ago. I have lived in them ever since, even wearing them to the hospital for various emergencies and hospital stays. I wear them, wash them and put them back on, like a little kid dons a superhero outfit. They, too, are indefatigable.
Another friend sent me a card today, applauding my "pragmatic optimism" in the face of my recent health setbacks, a "detour" as she reminded me. She recalled the line from John Legend's "All of Me": "Love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections." I do love my curves, my edges and my imperfections.
I recently shared with a friend that it's hard to look at our bodies and see and feel changes that can make us sad. But I noted that the amazing thing about getting older, even as our bodies age, is that we can become wiser, more loving and compassionate, and honestly more beautiful. Our true self is who we are on the inside. I told her: "Those who love you—truly love you—see this. I hope you can see it too."
Gifts, cards, coffee dates, a check-in text, a kind comment in social media—all of these things can make a significant difference to a friend. They say, "I am here for you always," "I'm thinking of you," "You matter."
