alexandra, this hits home so much and once again proves what happens when the power of our emotions over our life if left uncontrolled. Sometimes we can be forced into these emotions such as your mothers friend. I am so happy she is doing better.
Dr. Don Colbert has a book called "Deadly Emotions" he talks about a lady that couldn't forgive her husband for cheating on her and also leaving her for a younger woman, she had developed cancer and the DR. told her that she would have to give up her anger toward her ex husband if she ever wished to experience any relief or healing. She told Colbert that she would never forgive him and would always hate him, by the end of the year she was gone. In the past as I was a younger kid just growing in my learning of what the emotions can do -- I wouldn't have believed that story. I know now since science does back all of this up that this case is going on right at my front door.
I have a sister and I will tell the story cause I hope she reads this and hopefully it opens her eyes, she won't listen to me since I'm her brother and after all I don't walk on water or have a white coat ya know, really it wouldn't matter if I did though

. Anyhow since her husband left her she has went from a well, up spirited, healthy individual and happy soul to just a remant of who she used to be. I used to go over and see her before i finally moved here to texas and I prayed each time hoping I wouldn't find her dead when I got there. See after her husband left she said she would be ok but that wasn't the case, she aged like 20 years in like 1 month. Then her youngest daughter which is like 21 decided it was time to move out and my beutiful sister went from a healthy looking 54 year old women to looking like she was well passed her last days. This pains me to write this but she has givin up and really hasn't tried to come out of the depression. She feeds the depression daily with the words " Why me," - " What did I ever do to hurt them" she doesnt know these thoughts are ageing her and making her so weak that she can't even walk now. She told me she was just getting old, but I know what is going on. I pray for her daily and 2 days ago I talked to her for the first time in a month " it was just to hard to listen to her not even able to talk" She finally sounded like she was able to stir her words together

and she told me she knew it was her emotions that was doing this to her. I contuniue to pray that her eyes stay opened and her healing takes place.
Your mothers friend is a blessed soul. God be with us all that have to experience this and help us to know the words to open their eyes to the truth.
Bless you.