Betty's Cold Weather Friend

I remember one of Connie’s trips. It was a trip from Florida to Michigan, for some experimental treatment. Many doctors wouldn’t treat her, but she found one there that would.

At this point, her husband had to make a difficult decision. Connie had said after the last brain surgery (her second) that she didn’t want anymore surgeries. Yet, Connie had had a relapse, was on steroids, and wasn’t able to make the decisions for herself. After deep reflection and prayer, her husband decided to go through with the operation in Michigan.

Friendships are so very special. At that time in my life I felt I had three best friends – Connie, Stacey, and Mary. All of them had heard about each other, none of them had met.

At the time, Stacey lived in Michigan. She volunteered to pick John and Connie up from the airport and to sit with John and Connie as they went through the surgery.

I remember telling Connie about my friend in Michigan, Stacey, that would be there for her in Michigan, where it was cold. I truly didn’t know, and really didn’t think, that any of it was registering with Connie due to how the illness had effected her.

But later that month when Connie sat in the hospital room, recovering from her surgery, my friend Stacey was sitting in her hospital room. They had never met.

As Connie came to, the nurse, being a good nurse, asked Connie who the person was at the end of her bed. I am sure the nurse thought that if Connie could recognize her it would be a good sign that the operation had gone well. The nurse was unaware that Connie and Stacey had never met.

Connie’s response was, “That’s Betty’s Cold Weather Friend.”

I will always remember that. It was so special. It stills makes me laugh and brings joy to my heart when I think about Connie, and Stacey, and Connie’s sense of humor.