In life there are people I consider fighters. My definition of fighter does not include the type of angry person looking to pick a physical fight, nor the person who likes to be contrary or enjoys bullying others just to be argumentative. No....those sorts are just insecure persons unsure of how to better themselves. No, the type of person that I like to label a fighter is someone who pushes themselves beyond their own boundaries. I respect that, for it's not easy to get outside of one's comfort zone. It's not easy to fight against the rhythm of others and find your own beat.
But those that do, those that find their own beat to walk to, those that question and ponder and find their own path, those are the fighters that I admire. Today, I celebrate a moment spent with such a woman.
Some back story: A couple of years ago, she was my next door neighbour. We shared the front yard of a duplex and frankly, when I first moved in beside her our relationship was tenuous. As time passed and we interacted more, our mutual unease lifted and a friendship was formed.
Tonight was the second time that I've visited her since my ex and I sold the house. It's a joy to see how she has become great friends with the new owner of my old house. Every time I've seen her, she thanks me for choosing her over the "other guy" when we were selling the house. My ex-neighbour asked her new neighbour to join us for a spell. So she did and shared a glass of wine with us.
And you know what? I liked her. A lot. She's lovely. She loves the house and the neighbourhood. What more could I have asked for as a proud ex-home owner? After all, I remember the last moment I had in my old home - I begged the powers that be to have someone buy the house that loved it. I can see that she loves my old home. And yet, I felt a twinge when she offered to have me walk through my old home. No, I'm not quite ready to see the changes she has made to it. Not yet.
But I digress.
Today's moment is not about the new owner of my old home, but of my ex-neighbour come friend. She's fought through a double mastectomy last year, only to deal with chemotherapy and radiation. Post treatment she's had kidney complications and found herself having to deal with yet another operation to deal with that. It's been nearly 1.5 years of hospital visits and processing through her cancer and yet, she's as positive and light hearted as ever. As I ponder it, perhaps even more so than she's been in the past.
She is a woman filled with life. Filled with a passion to grow beyond who she was yesterday. Perhaps a brush with death will offer that perspective, but on some level she's always had this light in her. She is an inspiration.
And my evening with her tonight only reminded me of the good, grounded souls that are out there. The fighters. Those working hard to make this world and themselves a better place.
Moments celebrating a ex-neighbour now friend.
Moments understanding that there are good fighters out there in the world.
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