Who has been there for me through thick and thin?

These two text messages appeared on my iPhone last Tuesday, 4/13/21 exactly forty-five minutes apart. It was from a close friend, R.F., who I have known for over a decade. Her sister passed away at her home due to COVID-19 complications. All I could muster in response was, "Noooo!" R.F.'s relationship with her sister was far more motherly than anyth…