Forever Friends

I met with a close friend to celebrate her birthday last night. We have been friends for a long time and met in art school. We call ourselves "forever friends." I don't know of a more genuine, loyal and dedicated person. She has decided to retire at the end of this school year. This decision came about after she was in a terrible car accident not long ago. She had a very close call. My friend lost control of her car after leaving her doctors office at about 10:30 in the morning. Tired and overworked she was returning home after being diagnosed with strep throat. It had been raining that morning and she was driving on a slick frontage road. Her car spun around and she flipped upside down in a ravine. When help arrived, she had to be pried out of her car while fully conscious with her neck and spine pressed against the roof of her car. She was in shock but still very much aware of how serious the accident was. She's lucky to be here and is still dealing with multiple injuries and fractures months later. She's going to be OK and is full of gratitude.
The accident was a big wake up call to her about how she's been living her life. She has given tirelessly, working long hours for many years as the principal of a school of 500 plus students. She is a dedicated and giving person, truly one of an kind. I know she has touched the lives of so many students in a positive way. We are all better people for having known her.
My friend had thought about retiring and after this accident she definitely made up her mind. Now she's ready to take some time for herself. She told me "...life is too short." She knows what a pivotal moment the accident was. Her life, and what is important, flashed before her eyes in seconds. She plans to spend more time with her family, friends and travel with her husband. She deserves to heal, have some fun and get some much needed rest. We often push and push ourselves on life's treadmill, and never stop to realize how fast our life is moving. I'm proud of her for making the decision to step off of the fast track and give to herself, and I'm thankful she's here.