A Courageous Woman

 Lucas has a very good friend called F since primary school. They were in the same secondary school and high school and still hang around together. I know F's mother by name and face. F's mother was the parents' representative to the school. We met during Parents' meetings and sometimes when we dropped our sons for sleepover. When we met, we greeted each other and made small talk. We were not close friends.

Yesterday Lucas said she passed away 2 weeks ago. That was really a shock! She was probably in her late 40s with F 20 this year and a daughter 16 this year. I last saw her in our sons high school graduation in July 2025. We talked briefly and there was no indication that she was critically ill. According to Lucas, she had breast cancer a few years ago but made a full recovery. In June 2025 she was diagnosed with an incurable cancer. There was no treatment. She chose not to tell anyone except her immediate family. She didn't want to be treated differently. She did not want anyone to feel sorry for her or pity her. She lived as normal as possible and encouraged her family to do the same. F proceeded with his 5 months gap break in South America. F only told his friends after her funeral. 

Oh..what a courageous woman! She did not feel sorry for herself and did not want anyone to do the same.  She lived as normal as possible and wanted her family to do the same until the her last day. She was a role modal. May she rest in peace.

As 2026 cruises on, the brutality continues...