My friend and professional colleague asked me to join her for lunch. Gail and I go back 25 years.

We collaboratively co-counseled couples in a special program she designed.

We maintained contact and she especially liked lunches. We’d talk politics, religion and she doubled as my mentor/supervisor. Mental health providers who find colleagues that challenge them is growth enhancing.

When I was stuck in a client case, Gail served me well. She asked the tough questions. She was engaging. She had my trust.

What Gail did was offer me a raw and new perspective, particularly spiritually.

So, we met at a restaurant whose food was healthy.

Gail was always a health conscious woman as long as I knew her.

On this sunny day, we ate couscous with a tangy sauce and mixed vegetables cut nice and small.

So tender was this meal. Gail greeted me with her usual bear hug and kisses planted on both cheeks. Gail asked about my family and my clients. Supervision was something I initiated.

Gail’s call to me sounded serious. She didn’t offer her usual joke, “Did you hear the one about …” We ate and drank iced herbal tea followed by some Irish tea cookies. Gail brought her own. They were light, flavorful, and delicious. “I have a big favor to ask you, Marshall.”

I hadn’t ever heard those words from Gail before. I sat straight up in my chair. Sure, Gail.

“Marshall, I have two friends who are dear to me. They are lifelong friends of mine. They recently came to my home to share some powerful stuff. In so doing, they asked me to counsel them. With a heavy heart, I declined. I explained that my friendship may disrupt my ability to be helpful. I asked for their forgiveness. I didn’t want to chance crossing the boundary of friendship with therapist. I felt, both as a friend and as a provider, a desire to advocate for them. I mentioned you, Marshall. They balked at first as I figured. They then asked about you. Could a man avail himself to be of service lovingly to them, they inquired? That I know you as your friend and colleague, I suggested they give you a try. If it worked out perhaps they’d continue. Conversely if uncomfortable, they could bow out.”

Given Gail’s trust and honor, I gratefully offered to see her friends. Two days later, Allison and June called me and arranged a date to meet. A warm sunny morning greeted me on a lovely ride to work. An hour after my arrival, I met Allison and June. Both dressed in light shorts, a blouse, and sneakers; red for Allison and yellow for June, and they both wore glasses and long earrings. Allison had long braided hair. June had a shaved close cropped style. So, thank-you for coming.

How was the ride? Allison, wearing little to no make-up said, “Thank you. It was pleasant. The sun felt warm as I drove.”

June wearing make-up, which didn’t quite hide her rather thin face, smiled and said, “It was nice, thank-you.”

As you know, our mutual friend, Gail, requested that I meet you. Whose idea was it to seek counseling? Allison looked at June, took her hand and clasped it with her own.

“Me. Well really both of us. You see, we are facing a crisis.”

Please say more, I stated.

Allison looked at me.

“Marshall, we are lifelong partners. We’ve been together since high school. We worked in a steel plant for 40-years and retired. We worked hard, braved rough conditions that were dominated by men. We wore hard hats, coveralls, boots and all kinds of protective clothing. Our job was hard on our bodies. We took a lot of harassing at first by our male co-workers. Once they realized how hard we worked, they began to layoff the gay jokes. We were the only women at our position. June and I lived together to save money. Once the test of time passed, we started to offer a growing and powerfu I love. A bond soon was formed. We thereafter got more serious and evolved into a real true partnership. Our love prospered.

Our families each experienced some growing pains. Accepting June and I didn’t come easy. That’s how we sorta met Gail. She ran empowerment groups for women. We joined, had lots of fun, learned a lot, and made friends. Gail invited us for drinks and dinner. Her hot tub was soothing and inviting to our sore bodies. We recognize Gail as the prime individual who helped us accept ourselves as a couple. We got married soon after it became law. We talked a lot about retirement. Would we travel? Would we pursue classes for fun and relaxatiop? We did take a vegetarian cooking class from Gail’s friend, Dot. We ate healthy, went for walks with gruff, our dog, and took day trips. June loved it and so did I. A couple of months ago June started to beg off our regular activities. She felt weak and tired. No biggie. She went for her annual check-up. Blood work revealed a nightmare. June has lung cancer. The doctor believes it’s linked to years at the steel plant.”

Allison never let go of June’s hand as she opened her heart.

“How are you feeling now, June, I asked? .

”I’m tired. I’m glad we came today. I’m worried about Allison. I know she’s worried about me. Can we get together again? I need to rest.”

We made another appointment and then they left. I silently thanked Gail and added Allison and June to my prayer list. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.