We are Family

I assume that in most workplaces, your co-workers become as close as family members. You are with them day in and day out; 8 hours; 5 days a week. If you're me, you've known and grown with many of these people for the last 18 years and 2 months. 18 years! That's almost as long as I've known my twin daughters, soon to be 20. That's longer than I am married to my wonderful husband. 18 years, awesome! And like family, you have your up's and you have your down's. You share blissful moments of sheer happiness, and you mourn awful losses together. You take your bad mood out on them, and they take advantage of your flexibility. However, no matter what, when push comes to shove, you are all in this together. Every now and again, SMACK, reality whacks us across the face. My close friend at work received some bad news a few weeks back. She is going to be fine and her prognosis is excellent. But, she received this news, nonetheless. As we waited together, in the hallway of our "home"/school, her cell phone rang. The call she had been waiting for finally came. My throat was pained with a lump I couldn't swallow. My heart sank so low into the depths of my body, I longed for its' beat. Time stood still. "It's cancer," she said. After all of the, "almosts," and all of the, "I'm sure it's nothing(s)," it was something. Somehow, I salvaged any of the strength that seemed to ooze out of my limp arms and legs, I stood tall, and I held her. "We are going to beat this," I said again and again, "WE are going to beat this." After weeks of first opinions, second opinions, discussions,  and weighing options, her decision was made. Let's do this as quickly as possible, was her goal and I'm proud to say she did just that. See, it truly takes a Village! Our little Village; our sweet, yet strong school joined together to overcome another one of life's adversities. I have NO doubt that in a year from now, this moment in time will be one that confirms the bond that our "family" shares. We ARE family!