Shoe success, and the value of friendship

I'm pleased to report that I was able to find a pair of shoes. I bought this pair in black suede with silver front accent:

 I think they're adorable. They're super-comfortable and also look quite dressy. I got the last pair in the store, and I think the only pair not on sale. Paying full price for these shoes is ok with me. If I'd had time to wait for them to go on sale, I'd have done that, but there just wasn't the time. I expect to be happy with them.

I've had a great time visiting my friends. My drive here was only about 3 1/2 hours and I'm hoping that the drive home will be about the same length, too. Even if I'm on the road longer, though, it would be worth it to have seen my friends. They're all really wonderful people, and I love to spend time with them. There aren't many other groups of people that can make me laugh and then cry in a five-minute span. :)

In a way, it's hard to see people who have metastatic breast cancer, especially in light of all of the people who've died this year. Even so, I feel like I get as much from the relationship with them as it costs me in sadness when they die. I also think that learning to cope with death, and treating it as something that is a part of life, is a good thing. I'm honoured to know these people even if it means that I'll be sad when they die. I wouldn't want to deprive myself of these relationships because they might go before I do. After all, we really never know what's coming, and the more people around to help us get through what's right in front of us, the better.

We've had a fantastic time chatting and laughing and teasing each other over food and in each other's rooms. I can hardly wait until the next time we're able to get together.