Old friends, old times, old home

My parents used to tell me, "If anything happens to us, your godparents will look after you". Of course, you don't want to think about your parents' deaths, so I refused to listen to this advice when it was given. And then I left the place where I was born and thought no more about it until my mother was dying and she repeated the advice. As usual, she was right. I returned to the my birthplace and, ever since, my godparents - now only my godmother - have supported me and made me feel part of a family. I don't know how I would have coped without their care, particularly when I was diagnosed with cancer. I wish I'd known them better when I was younger, in the way I wish I'd known my parents better - perhaps as everyone wishes they'd known their parents better. In the time since my mother died, I've learned so much about the importance of good friends, old friends, new friends and feeling comfortable in your own life and community. If only I'd known then what I know now...

My health now is better than it has been in twenty years. But would this have been the case if I hadn't come back to my home?