A Visit From a Friend

It's a cold rainy day in the Midwest today - so much for Spring. We are still experiencing mornings in the 30's.
On this dark and dreary day a friend whom I've not seen for several months stopped in. She was very frail-looking, and tired.
She had lost her husband last month, to cancer.
I'd known he had cancer, I'd heard he was not doing well, but he stopped in about 6 months ago and, to my untrained eyes, looked just fine.
Apparently not.
She said his passing was quick and peaceful - less than 24 hours in hospice care. He'd gotten a cold, which quickly turned to a viral infection. One day he simply went to sleep and never woke up.
But he wasn't old. Neither is my friend. I shared with her the story of my sister and Barry.
We talked a bit about the struggles of cancer and its emotional tolls. I could tell it was very difficult for her, and she changed the subject. She didn't want to lose emotional control.
She's selling her house here in town and moving to another state to live with her family. She brought by some odds and ends from her home she knew I'd enjoy - some whole bean coffee, some of her plants I always admired, a beautiful tea cup I always commented on. It had to be hard, giving away parts of her life she and her husband shared. I told her so, to which she replied she wanted someone to have them that would enjoy them. For me, they will be something I remember him by and I am grateful for that.
As she prepared to leave I asked if this was the last time I would see her. She said probably so, but we will be in touch via email. I sure hope so.
We exchanged hugs and I felt how terribly thin she was. I wished her well on her new life.
Her eyes filled with tears, and she quickly stepped out into the rain.
It's a cold and rainy day in the Midwest today.