Friendship At It's Best

A vital lesson I have learnt over my twenty-one years of existence is to never underestimate the bond of true friendship. I had always thought we were related to 'Aunt Vicky' during my youthful years- after all she was always there, whenever there were Aunt Vicky was sure to be there. She was present at funeral and memorial services, birthday parties, Christmas Parties, family vactions, family braiis, she even featured in the most prominent family albumss

Likewise, my mother was there for her and her family. Theirs was what my late Education for Life teacher would have best described as a 'Two Way Traffic'. Last year the saddest thing happened to ‘Aunt Vickie’ she was diagnosed with appendicitis. It was a trying time for her, for her family and my mother as well. I had never seen my mother so distraught. For close to two weeks she was not her usual self- nothing seemed to cheer her up; neither gyming, nor our weekend chess sessions note even the funniest movie could revive her spirits, left down in the dumps.

Although the rest of the family visited Aunt Vicky after school, work and other daily pursuits, my mother was present for the lunch time and 4.00 p.m. visit without fail. She bought her flowers, had a television installed in her room, sat by and read out her favorite novels, and she organized a prayer group for Aunt Vicky. It was not just Aunt Vicky but her family as well. My mother attended to her four children; Isabella, Victoria, Gloria and Stephanie. She made sure they attended school everyday and safeguarded their general interests. Just what the doctor ordered!.

I was deeply touched during this time. Even though my aunt was in pain, I began to truly understand the meaning of friendship. A few months later when 'Aunt Vicky' was the barrel of laughs we had known her to be I asked my mom what made her ran around during that time of need and she said ‘well, That’s what friends are for’.