She’s more than a best friend, she’s like a sister
Pal helps cheer up her bestie who lost mum to cancer
We’ve been through it all together – school boyfriends, births, holidays and sad times. She’s just like my sister Andrea Carmichael
Croftfoot gran Andrea Carmichael is not just Susan Hobbs’ best friend of more than 30 years – she’s also the sister she did not have.
Susan has watched Andrea struggling to come to terms with the loss of her beloved mum, Gretta Hay, who died at the age of 68 in April last year after a short illness.
Yet, despite her grief, Susan says Andrea remains at the core of her large family, looking out for her three grown-up kids and her two grandchildren, as well as juggling a job and her college studies.
When her mum Gretta was diagnosed with lung cancer in February last year, Andrea did not hesitate to offer to nurse her at home.
“They told us it was not a tumour she would die from, but she only lasted six weeks,” explained Andrea, 38, of Croft park Avenue.
Gretta, who adored her 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, is sorely missed by all her family – none more so than Andrea.
Although the loss of her mum has left a gaping hole in her life, Andrea soldiers on, working with kids with additional support needs at Greenhills Primary in East Kilbride, while also studying for Highers in health care and English in the hope of gaining entry to a midwifery course and pursuing her dream career.
Throughout it all, her best pal has been Andrea’s rock, and she’s also received support and encouragement from Susan’s parents, Mary and Davy Ritchie, of Toryglen.
Full of admiration, Susan says Andrea is the most caring person she knows. That is why she nominated her best pal – who is godmother to her two children Kyle, 13 and six-year-old Amber – for a beautiful bouquet from luxury, contemporary florist, Stems of Burnside, in The Reformer’s Say it with Flowers competition.
“I have known Andrea for 31 years. We have been friends since seven years of age, when I moved to school in Toryglen,” explained office manager Susan.
“She was a young mum and put her three kids first, always. She comes from a big family and her door is always open.
“She has helped her family
and friends – myself included – by being a shoulder to cry on, by babysitting, listening and laughing – and nothing is too much bother for her.
“Although she lost her mum last year quite suddenly, she is still in the centre, trying to look after everybody – even though she is working and attending college as well as dealing with her own grief.”
In nominating her pal for the bunch of stunning blooms from Stems of Burnside, Susan told us: “I always say family doesn’t need to be blood, so I think of her more as the sister I didn’t have. She is such a special person to me and I want her to know it.”
Andrea, who is celebrating the birth of her second grandchild, one month old Bradley, says she was overwhelmed to receive the bouquet and the nomination.
“Susan is my best friend,” said Andrea, who is already planning joint 40th birthday celebrations with her best mate next year.
“We’ve been through it all together – school, boyfriends, births, holidays, and sad times as well. She’s just like my sister.”