A Long‑Term Friendship Built on Shared Health Challenges

The 95‑year‑old Rosine, who calls herself Neni, lives alone in a bright condo she bought after her husband died. She still keeps busy: baking, attending board meetings, scrubbing floors, and dusting a chandelier that needs little work. She makes her bed every morning no matter how tired she feels, and she worries that her body is not what it once was. Fatigue, hip pain, insomnia, and swollen ankles are her daily companions. The writer, 40 years old, feels a strange connection to Neni. Both have had hysterectomies and share similar blood issues that cause shortness of breath. They carry the same cancer‑risk genes, allergies and immune problems. The writer had to pause a Ph. D. career because of illness, while Neni has lived through many hardships and survived.Their bond grew when they started sharing their frustrations. They talk about incontinence, itchy skin and the feeling of not recognizing oneself in the mirror. Neni reminds her to eat bananas for potassium, avoid heavy lifting and care for a plant that the writer received. She also asks, “Is living lasting? ” which reflects her own experience of outliving many loved ones. Both have learned to slow down. Neni used to see rest as laziness, but now she takes naps when needed. She teaches the writer that patience and resourcefulness help things grow, just like a garden. When the writer feels uncertain about health or future plans, Neni encourages him to keep working and pray. Their shared resilience shows that aging can be a journey of adaptation rather than just endurance. They keep their homes organized and filled with music, recipes and small rituals. These acts of order and routine become a legacy that reminds them that pride can come from simple daily tasks. Their friendship is a reminder that shared struggles can bring people closer and help them find meaning even when the body changes.