Waandering Along the Path: Right Speech

I found out yesterday my Zen teacher has metastasized cancer.  My friend from that sangha sent me two photos of her, looking lovely and at peace.  She is exactly ten years older than me, but so indomitable that I'm stunned she is facing this.  She has fought cancer several times, has dementia, and just lost her dear husband several months ago.  Many blows, but she is still standing.  Her wonderful daughter takes care of her, and her partner is as generous and kind.  She has a son nearby also.  Her voice still guides me daily, and I feel enormous gratitude for her teachings and her friendship.  In one of the photos, a little brown curly dog is in her lap.  In the past, she usually had three or four dogs, rescues and Skiperkees.  Now she has a new dog to comfort her.  Her love of animals has defined her.  I once worried about a sad looking horse in the pasture next to her property near the coast, and she later told me she called the owners and the horse was placed in a situation with other horses, so he wouldn't be so lonely.  My heart is with her now, knowing her equanimity will serve her well with this new challenge.