There is something so special about friendships, and how they can interweave over our lifetime. With Ron's illness, at times it seems the past is present as friends from other years have stepped forward and reminded us of their worth. It is so easy in our busy schedules to let time fly by and not keep well connected. Some we thought were very good friends having all but disappeared, I guess a natural ebb and flow. </p><p>My friend</p><p>Babs and I have been friends for over 50 years and the tie has never been lost, though at times we are more involved. The irony of her husband Don's death overlapping Ron's diagnosis has not been lost on us. We talk almost daily now. I write of another irony and an old friend in my closing entry. The second person I met in Los Banos was Rhoda Garcia, and she has been my friend since. I shared her grief with the death of her parents and then her beloved John. Rhoda has been an angel to me, and has been a soft, prayerful strength. Lou Vierra, my godmother, and I have been friends for about 14 years, and she has given me a grounding and sanity, and been so good to Ron. I feel these bonds growing stronger and stronger. Dear Queen June Erreca brings by food to us like I dropped off anything lemon to her dear Emil before he passed. My children who I have always tried to care for are showing such love to us now, especially Lara, who should be sainted. There are times in life when we give and give, and there are more humbling times when you need to accept. Both actions are needed to keep a true friendship growing.</p><p>Where was </p><p>the rest?</p><p>Last week's column was, by newspaper necessity, cut short and may have made an odd read, I am sorry. Sometimes editors need to make those choices. There was more to the story to make it more sensible, but hopefully the jest got across. Thank you, loyal readers, who called about that.</p><p>A word of praise</p><p>There are some local resources you do not appreciate until you need them. This past week we began using Hinds Hospice, a wonderful caring, nonprofit (they really need those donations) organization which helps patients and their families with the end of the life cycle, concentrating on living well and comfortably. I have always been a strong hospice advocate and now that Ron and I are entering this phase, we are very grateful for their loving care.</p><p>Birthday balloons</p><p>A very special happy birthday to our wonderful friend Pegg Eyerman, who is like family to us. Pegg is an amazing woman who has always done so much for others, she deserves only the best.</p><p>My adopted daughter, gorgeous bombshell, Helene Mitchell, celebrates her big day Aug. 16, love you sweetheart!!</p><p>Happy August birthdays to Wilma Ditter, Ethan Knight, Donna Mendes, Marlene Gargano, Helen Ann Bloom, Evelyn Gomes, Pat Enos, Elsie Gomes, Carrie O Banion, Marilyn Jones, Carmella Lewis, Ellena Avara, George Green and Mona Gullianni.</p><p>Anniversary bells</p><p>Very special big happy 60th wedding anniversary wishes from their family and friends to Jo and Josephine Pereira. Their big day is this Saturday.</p><p>Happy wedding anniversary to Dana and Lynn Martin, and Richard and Sharon Woo.</p><p>Wedding bells</p><p>Congratulations to Shannon and Andrew Miranda, who were married in Felton on July 31 before family, and friends. Lara, Bryan and Jessica said Shannon was a beautiful bride. Sorry we had to miss it.</p><p>Book can help</p><p>About 10 years ago a book I wrote on death was published, actually two versions were published, the generic and the Catholic. I happen to have some of these books still available and will drop </p><p>them off at our office at 838 Fifth St. A $10 donation for the book will go toward Ron's mounting medical costs. It is an informative book about preparing for your own death, and it would mean a lot to me right now as well.</p><p>To clear up a mystery</p><p>Several columns ago I wrote a secret message that was misunderstood. It was from me to the women who brought into my office a sick little kitten we named Dexter. Sorry for any confusion it seemed to cause. Dexter now is doing very well, spoiled rotten, and living in Lemoore with my granddaughter Amanda and husband Craig.</p><p>Past is ever present</p><p>Last night I got a call that a friend of mine of 50 years was in the hospital in Los Angeles doing badly with brain cancer. </p><p>When I first met her, we were in junior high school, and she was recovering from cancer surgery. She had a double mastectomy about eight years ago. </p><p>Kathie, who never married, has one sister who never married, they are feeling very alone. It made me think long and hard last night. While I had stumbled with words with her sister, I was frustrated that I could be of no real help right now other than to offer verbal support, and to offer up prayers. I will not leave Ron. </p><p>I thought of so many happy times Kathie and I had in our youth with our lives stretched out before us. While she traveled to Europe yearly, took cruises and often kidded me about my settling down to be earth mother in her words, Kathie always thought I was talented and should be famous. I thought of the wealth my choices had made, my wonderful husband Ron, my family of children, and grandchildren I had to enjoy and to lean on. As worried as I had been earlier in the day, as concerned as I was still, I felt comfort that I was not alone.</p><p>There is a funny irony to this story. Many, many years ago I was dating a man that was Ron's roommate at the time, and when Kathie flew up for a visit to see me, I introduced her to Ron. While they have always got along, it was definitely not a love match. We have always laughed about it, because it was not much later Ron and I got together. Sure glad they did not hit it off. </p><p>Something I have always thought has made our marriage stronger was that Ron and I were friends first. This is just one of those flukes in life, as is the fact Ron and Kathie are fighting cancer now at the same time. </p><p>Truth has always been stranger than fiction. Certainly in my life. </p><p>Do not just concentrate on what you are losing, but remember also what you still have, and until next time, may all your news be good news.