MY WONDERFUL FRIEND JUNE

I saw you the first time after my first Assembly prayer at Saint Dominic's Catholic College.  You came walking towards me after the morning Assembly and you said to me: "That was really good Elizabeth.  Would you be able to help me with my Assembly prayer when it is my turn?".  From that moment you were my friend, my best friend for almost fifteen years.  We were inseparable.  You went to Mass on a Tuesday at lunch time and I went to Mass.  We sat next to each other for fifteen years.  For fifteen years we sat next to each other in the staffroom.  Every morning tea, lunch time and every staff meeting and staff briefing.  You were the Queen of our little corner.  Everybody must listen when June speaks.

You were the tall, dark and handsome one and I was the stubby, short one.  I loved your laugh, loved your joy for life and living.  Everything was an adventure and you regularly went on them.  You planned them long in advance.  Trips to Alaska, to Hawaii, Sea cruises, trips to the South Island, to Fox Glacier ... you were truly and adventurer!

It came like a fist in my stomach that summer when I received your call.  "Are you sitting down?"  you asked me.  "Why?"  I asked.  Suddenly, everything changed.  You will not be at school when school starts again after the summer holiday you said.  You will be receiving treatment.  Everything will be O.K. I said.  

When school started everything was not alright.  You were not in our corner of the staffroom.  Morning tea became sad and lunch time was even sadder.  Everybody was always asking:  "Any news from June?".  At times I did not even bother to go down to the staffroom for morning tea for lunch or birthday celebrations because it was just not the same without you.

I was overjoyed when finally you were back at school at the end of that year.  We laughed and joked and went out for a coffee just like we did in the past.  Always always in the back of our minds though the fear.  Will it come back?  Will it make you sick again?

I saw you struggling.  I was a living witness to your courageous fight. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart my wonderful friend for the gift of friendship.  You were the sister I never had.  You loved me, you believed in me and you never ever judged me.  I love you my friend!