The circle of life

Today, one of my closest friends from University will bury her teenaged son Ricky, who passed away after a long battle with a very rare form of cancer. It's the times like these that I want to pack up all my belongings and move back home. Not being a mother myself, I can only imagine the pain she is going through now, and I bet I should mulitply what I am imagining one hundred-fold.

I haven't seen either Ricky or his mum Juliet in over 10 years and so my memory of him is that of a happy, bright and extremely smart three year old boy. I know from my e-mail communication with Juliet over the years, that he had grown into a wonderful teenager of whom she was very proud.

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology I was able to arrange to have a wreath delivered for the services. It doesn't seem like enough, but I hope that it helps her realise that I and my family are with her in spirit. So I'll ask all you mothers to hold on tight to your babies, of whatever age, and to say a prayer for my friend Juliet for the strength she will need in the coming months.

On the same day that I learnt of his passing, I also got the news that another of our friends just had her first son. I am so happy for her and her family! It has been a week of roller coaster emotions. I alternate between joy for one friend and sadness for the other. Thus is the circle of life.