: for an old friend :

I met him about a year ago, and we have been through phases in our friendship that I have to say, I have never been through with anyone else before. The difference?

We’ve never met.

We keep in touch online and through occasional SMSes and phone calls, and he has unexpectedly become someone whom I greatly, albeit strangely, trust and feel comfortable with.

I still clearly remember asking him late last year, Do you consider me to be a new friend or an old friend? He laughed and replied, A new friend, of course! I would only call you an old friend if I’ve known you for at least a year!

Yeah, he is an old friend now. And today, his mother is going for a second surgery for breast cancer. Test results from this surgery will let him and his family know how far the cancer cells have spread. Optimistically, they have not spread far.

I have had the worry of breast cancer since I first heard about it when I was just reaching puberty. Although I admit I do not possess utmost knowledge about this condition, I have read about and seen sufficient articles and images to list it down as one of my prevailing fears.

I remember reading up on prevention methods many years ago, and there was a time when I would do a regular self-body check after every menstrual cycle. I stopped, negligently, after awhile. But when something like this happens, I am reminded of how real the threat is to every woman (and man!).

Friends, it would be of great help if you could say a prayer for my friend’s mother. She may be addressed as Aunty Soo.

To my old friend, stay strong. I will be praying for you as well….