I stopped at the supermarket on my way home last night, trying not to be in rush mode. (This is turning out to be a hard habit to break.) Keeping my head down trying not to see anyone I know.  We have all done this drill.  The blank stare, pretending to be oblivious so you don’t have to stop in the aisle to talk “update” with someone you haven’t seen since your PTA days.  I finished talking to the butcher and inadvertently looked up from my list.

My brain registered recognition.  We started the usual banter — how’ s the kids, blah, blah.    In the middle of this mundane, momentary catch-up conversation she blurts out she has breast cancer. “Have you heard?” she asks me. She tells me about her treatments and about how her hair started falling out during Parent’s Weekend at her son’s college. She told me she was wearing her wig for the first time in public on this very day!

What courage!  I wouldn’t have known she had a wig on — it was a really good piece. Then I noticed she was holding her head very straight, stiff almost. She said she felt like her head would fall off if she moved too fast. I was in awe of her at that moment!  First time out, the supermarket! A melting pot of people from all avenues of your life.

I was proud of her.  Whether you run into a burning building to save a life, go on your first job interview after you have been home raising kids for twenty years, or wear your wig to the supermarket for the first time after losing your hair to breast cancer I consider you a hero. One of my favorite writers, Erma Bombeck said it best- “Hero is a term that should be awarded to those who, given a set of circumstances, react with courage, dignity, decency and compassion– people who make us feel better for having seen or touched them.”

On this day, I’m glad I took the time to look up and look around, took time to really see a friend.  She inspired me with her courage, and grace. I felt blessed to call her friend.